WE ARE LOOKING TO PURCHASE A MAINECOON. WAT ARE SOME QUESTIONS I SHOULD ASK A BREEDER? ANY SUGGESTIONS. WE ARE LOOKING TO BUY OF THE INTERNET.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 1999

Answers

Find out if the breeder checks his/her cats for hipdysplasia and HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). These are known diseases to appear in the Maine Coon breed. The checking does not mean a 100% guarantee that the kitten is not affected, but the ones that don't check, don't care. As to buying on the internet. I won't sell a kitten to anyone who hasn't personnally been to my home and seen the cats and interacted with them. I want to make sure my kittens go to good homes and no offense, but the are living creatures, not some machine you can order over the net. That is probably not what you meant, but be aware of people who are too eager to sell. Check out the place, make sure the cats are in good health. If all the cats are kept in small cages, you may have to think twice. Is this what you want? Don't just visit one cattery. Try to visit several in the same area. Compare conditions, the love of the breeders for their animals, how they keep their records. Get a lot of input before you decide. It may be well worth it.

I hope you find your special kitten and can enjoy him/her for a long time.

Anita

-- Anonymous, May 20, 1999