How much does it cost to purchase a Maine Coon kitten in Canadian currency.Please submit a list of breeders in Ontario-thank you.

-- Anonymous, June 08, 1999

Answers

Unless you want a purebred with papers, or are in a real hurry, I'll bet, depending on your location, you can get one free. I live in the DC area and just by looking at ads in the papers and making phone calls to local organizations I've been able, on several occasions, trace down people with a Maine Coon they were willing to give away.

Try that route ...

-- Anonymous, June 11, 1999

Firstly, I have to take exception to the other answer! If you want a Maine Coon kitten, it is, by definition, a purebred animal! If you are looking for a longhair cat then you can probably find something free that might vaguely resemble the breed. However, you cannot say you have a MC cat unless you acquire a purebred with its proper papers! Now, as to cost, I cannot speak to the Ontario prices but out west a good quality MC kitten from a good quality breeder (and who would want something else given that this will be your companion for many years?), would probably cost you in the area of $400-500 and up. You might find them cheaper back east, I'm not sure. I would recommend that you check out the TICA (The International Cat Association) and CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) websites as you will probably find lists of breeders there. You may also want to sign on to one of the discussion groups such as mcats@onelist.com (just go to www.onelist.com and search for "mcats"). You can also find other Maine Coon discussion groups at onelist.

-- Anonymous, June 12, 1999

The price charged by Canadian breeders varies, partly because some breeders are early spay/neutering their kittens (a blessing!) and this must be covered by the cost. Try this web site for a comprehensive listing of breeders that are accessable via internet. http://members.tripod.com/~kcwingwalker/BreederList.html Also, contact the Canadian Cat Association for other Maine Coon breeders in Ontario. http://www.cca-afc.com/

Susan Mawby

-- Anonymous, June 13, 1999

I have to agree with Mr. Goldstein. I picked up a cat from a Maryland animal shelter five years ago which for all intents and purposes is a Maine Coon. It's true that he is probably not a purebreed, but he has all the characteristics of a Maine Coon. If you're not looking for a cat for breeding purposes, and you know what to look for, a non-pedigreed Maine Coon can be an excellent friend and a truly unique member of your household.

I don't want to show disprespect to breeders, but there are a lot of cats in animal shelters without pedigrees that are very valuable. Unfortunately, many Americans do not know what a Maine Coon is or how to recognize one, so many of these cats go unadopted. I would recommend going to a shelter and playing with a cat with the features of a Maine Coon. If the cat attacks the toy (or your fingers) mercilessly without losing interest, and then looks at you as though he owns you, then you have a Maine Coon. If he warbles, has a long tail, lynx-like ears, and has the disposition of a clown, he is a Maine Coon.

Take my advice, save your money and get a Maine Coon that needs a home. There are a lot of them out there.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 1999

I agree with David. Go to a shelter or rescue organization. I adopted my Maine Coon (look and act alike) from ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation). I just wanted an older cat and was so lucky to find him. He is silly, goofy, playful, big and has all the characteristics of a MC. But I really don't care what he is - Nash is truly a wonderful companion. Love him so much.

-- Anonymous, September 03, 1999

Fortunately not everyone is money motivated in this world. I paid $5.00 for my Maine Coon from a very nice older couple that just wanted their cats to go to a good home and be appreciated. He defied some of the garbage myths that there are only fat 30-plus pound Maine Coons. My cat was a solid 32lbs witkout any fat on him. He was an adept hunter of squirrels, snakes, rabbits, birds, etc and on one occasion the neighbors Siamese that beat him up as a kitten.

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2000