Good Afternoon Everyone!
I'm an experienced breeder in Maine and I've been trying to start a reputable breedery (hobby-size) for CFA certified Maine coons. I'm having difficulty finding other breeders willing to sell certified Maine coons with breeding rights. I've asked several local catteries in my area but none of them sell with breeding rights. I have about 10 years experience breeding Chinese Shar Pei dogs and I've always had several dogs and cats as beloved members of my family.
I purchased my first CFA certified purebred Maine coon about 3 years ago. I've always been a big fan of cats, offering unconditional friendship, being low maintenance compared to dogs, intelligent, playful, and of course adorable. Now I have a CFA registered Queen with breeding rights and a CFA registered male, also with breeding rights. I purchased the male with the intention of breeding with the female, but unfortunately, the cattery sold me a male kitten with Cryptorchidism, so he wasn't suitable for breeding and I had to get him fixed. (Yes, I paid extra for breeding rights, despite never being able to use them--perhaps partly my fault for not checking to make sure the kitten's testicles had discended before purchasing.)
I've been wanting to start a small cattery breeding Maine coons for many years. I absolutely love the Maine Coon breed with their large sizes, exotic lynx tips, and dog-like personalities (yes, they follow me around the house aren't afraid of water!). I enjoy the sense of satisfication I get when I know a pet I sold is going to a good family, because it'll undoubtedly bring that family a profound sense of joy and friendship for many years.
I had my Queen HCM tested last year and her test results were N/N. I intend to be a responsible breeder, only breeding about once a year after vertinerary checkups to ensure the cats remain healthy. I also intend to ensure all Queens and Sires are HCM negative, and have also been tested for SMA and PK Deficiency.
I don't do social media so I'll just put a website up when I get started. I did some web design in college and programming is fairly simple so I don't anticipate any problems there. I'll have the standard questionnaires in an effort to ensure they go to good homes and the typical contracts to ensure all kittens sold are fixed within a certain period of time.
I've begun contacting catteries across the country in an effort to find one willing to sell with breeding rights. So far I've only found one cattery, but they are TICA certified, not CFA certified. The only way that would work is if it's possible to transfer certification from TICA to CFA or vice versa. I'll probably need to contact the organization(s) to find out. Their price was $2500 plus shipping (roughly $500), plus first pick from first registered litter (estimate value ~$1000). So the end price would be roughly $4,000 for one cat with breeding rights. That is an expensive offer, but it'll be worth it if I find a way to have both certified under the same organization so the kittens can also be certified.
I'm posting here primarily for two reasons. First, I'm hoping I might find some friendly community members willing to offer pointers or advice on getting started. Second, I'm wondering if anyone who reads this would be willing to sell any certified Maine coons with breeding rights. I'm determined to do it so it'll happen with or without your guidance or support, so please don't post merely to try and discourage me. I'll purchase registered Maine coons with breeding rights even if it means I need to fly to Italy to find them.
I understand many catteries are rightly concerned about ethics and competition. I have only the best intentions and will hold my cattery to the highest standards for ethical breeding and care. I don't have any intention to be a large cattery so competition shouldn't be a concern for anyone.
Thank you in advance for your kind replies.
I'm an experienced breeder in Maine and I've been trying to start a reputable breedery (hobby-size) for CFA certified Maine coons. I'm having difficulty finding other breeders willing to sell certified Maine coons with breeding rights. I've asked several local catteries in my area but none of them sell with breeding rights. I have about 10 years experience breeding Chinese Shar Pei dogs and I've always had several dogs and cats as beloved members of my family.
I purchased my first CFA certified purebred Maine coon about 3 years ago. I've always been a big fan of cats, offering unconditional friendship, being low maintenance compared to dogs, intelligent, playful, and of course adorable. Now I have a CFA registered Queen with breeding rights and a CFA registered male, also with breeding rights. I purchased the male with the intention of breeding with the female, but unfortunately, the cattery sold me a male kitten with Cryptorchidism, so he wasn't suitable for breeding and I had to get him fixed. (Yes, I paid extra for breeding rights, despite never being able to use them--perhaps partly my fault for not checking to make sure the kitten's testicles had discended before purchasing.)
I've been wanting to start a small cattery breeding Maine coons for many years. I absolutely love the Maine Coon breed with their large sizes, exotic lynx tips, and dog-like personalities (yes, they follow me around the house aren't afraid of water!). I enjoy the sense of satisfication I get when I know a pet I sold is going to a good family, because it'll undoubtedly bring that family a profound sense of joy and friendship for many years.
I had my Queen HCM tested last year and her test results were N/N. I intend to be a responsible breeder, only breeding about once a year after vertinerary checkups to ensure the cats remain healthy. I also intend to ensure all Queens and Sires are HCM negative, and have also been tested for SMA and PK Deficiency.
I don't do social media so I'll just put a website up when I get started. I did some web design in college and programming is fairly simple so I don't anticipate any problems there. I'll have the standard questionnaires in an effort to ensure they go to good homes and the typical contracts to ensure all kittens sold are fixed within a certain period of time.
I've begun contacting catteries across the country in an effort to find one willing to sell with breeding rights. So far I've only found one cattery, but they are TICA certified, not CFA certified. The only way that would work is if it's possible to transfer certification from TICA to CFA or vice versa. I'll probably need to contact the organization(s) to find out. Their price was $2500 plus shipping (roughly $500), plus first pick from first registered litter (estimate value ~$1000). So the end price would be roughly $4,000 for one cat with breeding rights. That is an expensive offer, but it'll be worth it if I find a way to have both certified under the same organization so the kittens can also be certified.
I'm posting here primarily for two reasons. First, I'm hoping I might find some friendly community members willing to offer pointers or advice on getting started. Second, I'm wondering if anyone who reads this would be willing to sell any certified Maine coons with breeding rights. I'm determined to do it so it'll happen with or without your guidance or support, so please don't post merely to try and discourage me. I'll purchase registered Maine coons with breeding rights even if it means I need to fly to Italy to find them.
I understand many catteries are rightly concerned about ethics and competition. I have only the best intentions and will hold my cattery to the highest standards for ethical breeding and care. I don't have any intention to be a large cattery so competition shouldn't be a concern for anyone.
Thank you in advance for your kind replies.
Which is why I suggested trying a stud service now instead of waiting until you can get your own breeding male.
