Cattery Pricing
Things to remember when looking at kitten prices and questions to ask.
Has the breeder genetically tested for HCM and can show you the results of that testing?
I laugh every time a breeder tells me that the jury is still out on genetic testing (Interpretation: I have alot of cats and I am not spending $60.00 a cat to test ). Let's face it, the tools are out their to test for HCM through the University of Washington. If there are tools, no matter what "you" think the accuracy is, they should be used by responsible breeders. NEVER buy a cat without the genetic testing you are creating potential heartbreak for yourself down the road. The breeder will tell you that even if your cat has the gene, it may not develop HCM, that is absolutely correct. May not isn't good enough when you have a family member that may possibly die due to the disease.
We do know that there is no guarantee that your kitten won't get HCM from other genes that have not been identified. But we know these two genes exist and it is important that everyone tests for them.
Breeders selling their kittens for lower prices are not doing testing! Some are not even doing the sonagrams! They aren't spending the money necessary to produce happy, healthy kittens.
If you purchased a kitten from a breeder and you are not sure if they have done testing, http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientEd/hcm.aspx is the link, it will be the best $60.00 investment you make! If you have put a deposit on a kitten and the breeder doesn't test, ask them if you can take them to the vet to have the test swab taken and send it off yourself. The results come in two weeks.
Do they provide you with a genetic guarantee regarding HCM on your kitten? How long is that guarantee?
Every breeder should provide you with a genetic guarantee for HCM. I guarantee that if you have your kitten tested that it will be negative for the two HCM genes. If your kitten dies prematurely and your vet suspects HCM, I will pay for the autopsy to be done and a swab test to be done. I will also replace the kitten if it has HCM up to five years of age. HCM will kill cats between the ages of 5 months and 5 years.
Birth defects or environmental issues that relate to the heart are not HCM issues and do not fall under this agreement.
Does your breeder show his or her cats?
Now admittedly, I did not understand when I first started why this was so important. I used to get all upset when people told me that I should not be selling kittens without showing cats. I KNOW NOW that they are absolutely right. The reason for this is that you may think you have a great cat and it's beautiful. The big question is: Does it meet the standards for being a maine coon? This is why seasoned breeders show. We want to make sure that we are providing the best quality maine coon we can. The best representation of the breed possible! You can't do that if you don't know how your cats stack up against the others. You may not have regional or national winners, that's not important. What is important is that your breeder is putting out the best possible maine coons they can.
It's funny when I talk to breeders and they say that their cats wouldn't like showing. Well why not, after all, maine coon temperament is exceptional. They should be able to be put in a ring and a judge look at them and touch them without the cat tearing up the judge. Yes they may be a little timid, but they should never be agressive. If they are, the last thing you want to do is breed that behavior.
Showing costs thousands of dollars a year, but showing provides you with a better quality cat. If you get a pet quality cat from a breeder that shows, it will be a cat that meets the maine coon standard.
Beware of breeders that tell you their cats are very typey (ever wonder what Typey means?) Is that their interpretation of what a maine coon should be or does it truly meet the standard.
So here is our pricing policy and hopefully you have a better understand of what you should be looking for when you adopt a maine coon as a member of your family. Happy Hunting!
PET QUALITY: $700 females - $800.00 males - A "pet quality" kitten is means that the kitten is being sold as a pet and with an agreement that it will be altered at approximately 6 months of age and is a great cat that will provide you with lots of love and are very sweet, but these are kittens that do not meet the standard for show and cannot be shown or bred. These are little things, like the pattern is not quite consistant, the ear set is a little two far apart, there may be a small kink in the tail. This does not affect the health quality of your kitty, just it's showing ability.
SPECIAL BABIES: $900 - These kittens are of our show breeder lines but are not not to be used for breeders or are of difficult coloring to obtain. Our white kitties and full calicos fall into this category.These kittens may be shown but must be neutered/spayed at six months of age. If Mom or Dad is oversized, expect to pay more for their kittens.
BREEDER QUALITY: $1500 - These guys can be used as breeders with the appropriate signed breeder agreement. These guys won't be shown. Examples of these guys are; they have three white boots and not four as required for show, they have gold eyes and I like to show green eyes. The pattern is muted and not quite as bright as I like. These kitties come from excellent breeding/show lines, with the appropriate mates, will provide nice show/breeder kittens.
SHOW QUALITY: $1800 - These kittens can be bred and/or shown. We choose our best kittens as we want them to be competitive in the show ring. These kittens will stay with us for at least four months to ensure their development will be good for the show ring. We will happily replace any kitten that we sell as a show quality if they does not grand in the show ring in the first year.
DEPOSITS: We do accept $200 deposits that will hold a kitten until "it" decides it is ready to go home. Many times especially males, they decided that they like to stay with Mom longer and we do not force our kittens to stop nursing. We believe that an emotional sound kitty makes for a much better pet. A copy of the contract will be forward to you upon request. DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE BUT MAY BE USED FOR ANOTHER KITTEN.
* We only accept cash, money orders or cashier's checks for deposits and/or payment of kittens. We also have a Paypal account so kitten buyers can use debit or credit cards for deposits only. Balance due in cash or money order at time of pickup. When using Paypal, please include the 3% fee that Paypal charges.
Prices are subject to change without notice. A kitten is accepted for adoption when deposit is made and contract is returned.
Note: If shipping, new parents are responsible for shipping costs and associated expenses. The shipping costs through Delta (temperature control pet cargo) is approximately 240.00, Health Certificate, Certificate of Acclimation, and crate normally runs an additional $75.00 to $125.00 depending on crate size and flying requirements.