Rescue Cat From Breeder, Opinion Help

Incognito47

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Hi i need help in deciding whether or not to get a cat. This is my first time getting a cat from a breeder and I'm in no way experienced in the matter. This is the breeder the cat is from Maine Coon Kittens For Sale | Maine Coon California | San Diego
So, I'm planning to rescue a cat that needs rehoming. Her name is tiger, she's a purebred Maine coon. The owner is asking 1000 dollars which I'm perfectly willing to spend. I visited her and while she is playful. She would not let me touch her. The owner said it was because I just met her. Also there wer furniture people moving tginth around. She was rehomed because her older cat didn't seem to like her. She plays to aggresively and too much for her older cat. Im a little worried because she is kinda shy, even as a kitten the owner said took her 2 days for the cat to let the owner touch her. The breeder is TICA and CFA certified but did not mention any champions, which makes me suspicious. I'm worried because I want this cat to be a companion cat for my other cat as we recently lost her sister to fip. Also the owner said she was not allowed to see the cattery, just the kittens she reserved. She also said she didn't feed the cats quality food. Help would be very much appreciated.
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Willowy

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Has she contacted the breeder? Many breeders have it in the contract that cats must be returned to them if the owners can't keep them. I would hate for there to be an ownership issue later on.

She is very pretty!
 

lutece

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If you are looking for a companion for your existing cat, the MOST important thing you want is a cat or kitten with excellent temperament that is friendly and non-aggressive with other cats. This Maine Coon is pretty, but I would be concerned about her temperament, because the owner said she was shy from the beginning, and behaved aggressively with the older cat in her household. That would be a red flag for me. Also, $1000 seems like a lot of money for a cat that is being rehomed because of a temperament issue.

My guess from looking at this breeder's web site is that their focus is on making a profit selling kittens, as they do not appear to show their cats, and mostly talk about how large their cats are.

If you have your heart set on a Maine Coon, I strongly recommend visiting a cat show and talking to breeders there. There are some really wonderful Maine Coon breeders in California, producing beautiful cats with excellent temperaments. Breeders who show their cats generally have extensive networks of contacts, and they may know of a wonderful adult cat that is retiring and would be perfect for you.

If you live in Southern CA, there is a show next Saturday in Palm Springs:
Los Colores Cat Club 2019

Here are the show schedules for CFA and TICA:
CFA show schedule: Show Calendar
TICA show schedule: Show Calendar
 
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Incognito47

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I know hahaha. Yes she asked the breeder to help re-home her.
 
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Incognito47

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Also I just met with her. They live in a one story house with 4 males and 12 females and they have 100 litter a year. Is that normal? Or like borderline kitten mill?
 
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Incognito47

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If you are looking for a companion for your existing cat, the MOST important thing you want is a cat or kitten with excellent temperament that is friendly and non-aggressive with other cats. This Maine Coon is pretty, but I would be concerned about her temperament, because the owner said she was shy from the beginning, and behaved aggressively with the older cat in her household. That would be a red flag for me. Also, $1000 seems like a lot of money for a cat that is being rehomed because of a temperament issue.

My guess from looking at this breeder's web site is that their focus is on making a profit selling kittens, as they do not appear to show their cats, and mostly talk about how large their cats are.

If you have your heart set on a Maine Coon, I strongly recommend visiting a cat show and talking to breeders there. There are some really wonderful Maine Coon breeders in California, producing beautiful cats with excellent temperaments. Breeders who show their cats generally have extensive networks of contacts, and they may know of a wonderful adult cat that is retiring and would be perfect for you.

If you live in Southern CA, there is a show next Saturday in Palm Springs:
Los Colores Cat Club 2019

Here are the show schedules for CFA and TICA:
CFA show schedule: Show Calendar
TICA show schedule: Show Calendar
Yeah I just met her and worried cuz she has 4 males and 12 females in a one floor house. Kept in bathroom and bedrooms
 
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Incognito47

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She also charges 25 for the papers. The breeder not the owner
 

ArchyCat

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I agree with lutece lutece , visit the shows, find another, reputable breeder. The breeder the op describes like a kitten mill, with no genuine attempt to provide properly socialized cats.

There are also breed rescue groups, who will take a specific breed of cat if the owner dies or must otherwise surrender their cat. Google is your friend in finding these groups. Usually they charge a fee, but not an unreasonable one, to recover their costs.

Good luck!
 
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talkingpeanut

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Also I just met with her. They live in a one story house with 4 males and 12 females and they have 100 litter a year. Is that normal? Or like borderline kitten mill?
Nope, that's not ethical at all. Avoid! I would honestly report them if you can. This doesn't sound humane or healthy for anyone in that house.
 
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Incognito47

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They also didn't ask me any questions, Im the one asking all the questions and they also only check for HCM, and the typical flv/fiv. Nothing else. Also reccomend i give her fip vaccine at 11 months
 

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I see several red flags on this breeder. First, they have a HUGE number of cats. I would want to see the living conditions, how much room do they have, are the cats kept caged, etc. It seems to me that it would be difficult to properly socialize that many cats/kittens. A cat that won't let you touch her now may never let you touch her.

The cattery name is registered with TICA. However, I don't see it in the CFA list. There is a similar name, but not an exact match. They mention breeding polydactyl (extra toes) cats, which are accepted in TICA but not CFA. They don't list titles on any of their cats, which indicates to me that either they don't show the cats or they don't really care about meeting the breed standard.

If you live in Southern CA, there is a show next Saturday in Palm Springs:
Los Colores Cat Club 2019

Here are the show schedules for CFA and TICA:
CFA show schedule: Show Calendar
TICA show schedule: Show Calendar
The Palm Springs show is Saturday, March 23. The breed summary hasn't been posted yet, but I expect there will be several of the Southern California Maine Coon breeders there. You might also find a different breed that speaks to you.
 
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Incognito47

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I see several red flags on this breeder. First, they have a HUGE number of cats. I would want to see the living conditions, how much room do they have, are the cats kept caged, etc. It seems to me that it would be difficult to properly socialize that many cats/kittens. A cat that won't let you touch her now may never let you touch her.

The cattery name is registered with TICA. However, I don't see it in the CFA list. There is a similar name, but not an exact match. They mention breeding polydactyl (extra toes) cats, which are accepted in TICA but not CFA. They don't list titles on any of their cats, which indicates to me that either they don't show the cats or they don't really care about meeting the breed standard.


The Palm Springs show is Saturday, March 23. The breed summary hasn't been posted yet, but I expect there will be several of the Southern California Maine Coon breeders there. You might also find a different breed that speaks to you.
How do I check for breeder registries? When I go to their website I can only find 3 or 4
IbhsvIoy
 
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Incognito47

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Also the cats father is matted and I'm in contact with another breeder and trying to get in contact with several
 

lutece

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You don't need to be in a hurry contacting lots of breeders online. Take your time and try going to a show. Some of the best breeders don't even have web sites or online listings.
 
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Incognito47

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You don't need to be in a hurry contacting lots of breeders online. Take your time and try going to a show. Some of the best breeders don't even have web sites or online listings.
Oh really? Yeah I noticed that most of the good breeders I contacted have terrible websites hahaha. Think I will do that, just worried that my cat Eevee is alone. She usually always with her sister
 

StefanZ

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Also I just met with her. They live in a one story house with 4 males and 12 females and they have 100 litter a year. Is that normal? Or like borderline kitten mill?
100 litters on 12 a year? Impossible. They prob meant 100 kittens a year. Which is fully possible but high. It means the females gets 2 litters a year.

Definitely a borderline kitten mill by the sound of it.
 
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Incognito47

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100 litters on 12 a year? Impossible. They prob meant 100 kittens a year. Which is fully possible but high. It means the females gets 2 litters a year.

Definitely a borderline kitten mill by the sound of it.
Yes I meant kittens
 
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