Please forgive my ignorance. How can you determine a true Maine Coon? I had no idea they came in so many colors. I work in an Animal Shelter and in looking at these pictures I am amazed. And feeling pretty silly. Please let me know how can you determine a Maine Coon from a large DLH? I am however pretty certain that my new cat is a Maine Coon. She came from the shelter and is beautiful her new name is "Jade".

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2000

Answers

Amy - this is a tough one to figure out for sure, since MCs come in so many colors. Genreally, the length of the tail (almost as long as the body) is a good tipoff, and the large feet with tufts of hair between the toes. I a member of the Maine Coon Alliance Rescue Network - a national group that has formed to assist with finding home for MCs in shelters. You might want to bookmark our website www.mainecoonalliance.vjungle.com Our site is still under construction, right now there is a written description for a Maine Coon, but in the near future we'll have a page with pictures that will help folks determine whether they have a Maine Coon or not.

-- Anonymous, April 03, 2000

Does Jade have a distinctive "trill"? Maine Coons have a delightful, chirpy trill. (Sounds a little like a pigeon cooing.)

-- Anonymous, April 03, 2000

I too adopted a maine coon from Animal Control. His previous owner hadsurrended him to this place! Besides everything else you have been told, they have very expresive eyes, huge paws (big is an understatement), they also have hair coming out of their ears and very long wiskers. They are very affectionate, they know they are beautiful and therefore, they at times seem to be posing. They are not lap cats and do not mind playing with water, but bathing it's another thing... They tolerate it, but certainly don't like it. They love to be brushed, but despite their long hair, no brushing its really needed. I love mine! His name is Mufaza. Ah, another thing, they don't stop growing at one year, they can continue growing for up to five years (according to a book I bought).

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000