FAQ's
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions, as well as basic information on pedigreed Maine Coon Cats, and our cattery. If you have questions that we haven't answered here, feel free to submit your inquiries on our Contact Us page.
Is a Pedigreed Maine Coon Cat the right fit for me?
If you are anything like me, you can't imagine answering anything but "YES, YES, YES!!!!" to that question! However, it is very important to do your research before bringing home any adorable, fluffy, new family member into your household. Celtic Cats strongly encourages reading up on the disposition, size, and health considerations of Maine Coon Cats to guarantee that this is the perfect cat for you! Adopting a kitten is a serious commitment, and a long one! Cats are living into their mid-twenties these days, so be sure you are prepared, mentally, emotionally, and financially, to be caring for and loving this charming addition to your household for the extent of her lifespan. Celtic cats recommends these websites for further reading and research on Maine Coon Cats:
The Cat Fanciers Association
The Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association
The Cat Fanciers Association
The Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association
What sets you apart from other Maine Coon Breeders?
I would like to think that the beauty, grace, and disposition of our cats speaks for itself. Our cats are truly a part of our family, and the meticulous care and attention we lavish on them really shines through. In addition to the exceptional nature and appearance of our cats, Celtic Cats also makes a donation of 5% of the adoption fee of every kitten sold to our local Humane Society.
Do you check your cats for genetic conditions or diseases?
All of our breeding cats are thoroughly screened for HCM, FIP, FeLV, FIV, and Feline Hip Dysplasia, as recommended by a veterinarian, throughout their lives. Our kittens are also tested for FeLV and FIV and thoroughly screened for health conditions before ever leaving our home and entering yours.
What is HCM, FIP, FeLV, FIV, and Feline Hip Dysplasia?
HCM is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. It is a condition characterised by the inward thickening of the heart muscle, resulting in a reduction of chamber volume, thereby reducing the volume of blood that the heart can pump with each contraction. It is believed that HCM may be an inherited genetic disorder in cats. You can read more about HCM here.
FeLV is Feline Leukemia. FeLV is a deadly, incurable viral disease, transmitted through your cats bodily fluids. Learn more about FeLV here.
FIV is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. It is comparable to HIV infection in humans and is transmitted through deep bite wounds. FIV is not curable and eventually will result in death, however cats may live several years with FIV without showing symptoms. Learn more about FIV here.
Feline Hip Dysplasia is a disease of the hip joint in which the head of the femur does not fit correctly into the socket of the pelvis. Although more common in dogs, hip dysplasia can occur in cats if both parents are carriers for the condition. Read more about Feline Hip Dysplasia here.
FeLV is Feline Leukemia. FeLV is a deadly, incurable viral disease, transmitted through your cats bodily fluids. Learn more about FeLV here.
FIV is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. It is comparable to HIV infection in humans and is transmitted through deep bite wounds. FIV is not curable and eventually will result in death, however cats may live several years with FIV without showing symptoms. Learn more about FIV here.
Feline Hip Dysplasia is a disease of the hip joint in which the head of the femur does not fit correctly into the socket of the pelvis. Although more common in dogs, hip dysplasia can occur in cats if both parents are carriers for the condition. Read more about Feline Hip Dysplasia here.
May we visit your Cattery?
Absolutely! In fact, we ENCOURAGE you to come visit us! It is always recommended to tour a cattery that you are interested in adopting a kitten from. This way you can see your kitten in action and get a fair idea of her personality. You can also meet and interact with her parents to get an idea of what she will look and act like as an adult. You should be wary of any Cattery or Breeder that does not wish for you to visit their cattery. This should be a red flag that something is wrong with that environment.
When can we pick up our kitten? What kind of vet care will she have received?
Our kittens will not leave us until they are between 14 and 16 weeks of age. Your kitten will arrive at your home with a signed health certificate from our Veterinarian insuring that your kitten is in good health, and has tested negative for FeLV and FIV. Kittens will be checked and cleared of any internal parasites. Your kitten will be vaccinated following the guidelines of our veterinarian up to the point of leaving our home. Pet kittens will be spayed or neutered before leaving us. We will make copies of all health records so that you may give them to your veterinarian.
Why do you alter your pet kittens before sending them to their new homes?
Celtic Cats encourages and practices early spay/neuter for the protection and health of our kittens. Early spay/neuter is supported by The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association. For more information about Early spay and neuter you can go here to see what the ASPCA has to say. You will also find more positive information here at the Cat Fanciers' Association.
What happens if we get our kitten home and find out there is something wrong with her?
Celtic Cats agrees to accept a kitten back for a full refund of purchase price (or in exchange for another kitten) if returned within 14 days of purchase with a veterinarian's certificate stating the health problem or genetic defect. Celtic Cats requires a copy of all medical records/treatment of said kitten. If it is the case that the Buyer chooses to keep the kitten, Celtic Cats will reimburse the Buyer ONLY for medical bills acquired in those first 14 days, not exceeding the original cost of the kitten.
What do I do if there comes a day when I am no longer able to care for my cat?
Upon purchase, it is understood that the Buyer will never sell, lease or abandon the purchased kitten. No matter what the reason, if the Buyer determines they are no longer able to care for their kitten, they must return her to Celtic Cats, where she will be loved, no matter how many years have gone by.
How much do your kittens cost?
Price ranges of kittens vary according to pedigree and pet or show/breeding qualities of the individual kitten. Please feel free to contact us regarding the kitten you have in mind.
What is the difference between a Pet kitten and Show/Breeding quality kitten?
Show/Breeding quality kittens are those kittens, of the right pedigree, that possess all the physical attributes necessary to fit the specific breed standard of the Maine Coon Cat. This kitten must also possess a character and personality adapted to a life of Cat Show Competitions. Show Kittens must dazzle judges in crowded, noisy show halls, and tolerate being handled and preened over by countless strangers.
Pet quality kittens are no less wonderful than their Show/Breeding quality littermates! These are kittens, who for some reason or another would not be a successful show cat. Perhaps your kitten has the physical attributes to be a 100% perfect example of the breed standard for the Maine Coon Cat, however despite all the socializing in the world she is still timid around large numbers and frightened of loud noises. This kitten would not enjoy Competing, and so would not be subjected to it. Or perhaps, your kitten has a sparkling, charming personality, but her ears are a little too small to fit the breed standard. She is still an exceptional kitten, but would loose points in the show ring.
Regardless of Pet or Show quality, all of our kittens are adored equally!
Pet quality kittens are no less wonderful than their Show/Breeding quality littermates! These are kittens, who for some reason or another would not be a successful show cat. Perhaps your kitten has the physical attributes to be a 100% perfect example of the breed standard for the Maine Coon Cat, however despite all the socializing in the world she is still timid around large numbers and frightened of loud noises. This kitten would not enjoy Competing, and so would not be subjected to it. Or perhaps, your kitten has a sparkling, charming personality, but her ears are a little too small to fit the breed standard. She is still an exceptional kitten, but would loose points in the show ring.
Regardless of Pet or Show quality, all of our kittens are adored equally!
I'm from out of state, how will I receive my kitten?
At Celtic Cats we always prefer that the prospective owner makes the trip to our cattery to meet the kitten they wish to adopt before the kitten goes home with them. This gives the owner the chance to ensure that this kitten's personality is right for their household(sometimes you think you want one kitten, until you meet and fall in love with it's littermate!). It is always best if the New Owner picks their kitten up from us personally, but we do realize that this is not always possible, especially when the kitten will be moving far across the country or even out of the United States. In the instance that the Buyer wishes their kitten to be shipped to them, the Buyer assumes all airline costs of shipping the kitten.
Do you ever have adult Maine Coons for sale?
Yes! Occasionally, we will have a retired breeding cat for sale at a discounted price. All breeding cats will be retired before they reach 4 years old. They will then be spayed or neutered and placed in a loving home. This gives the retired cat the opportunity to live the rest of his or her life as the center of attention in a smaller and quieter household. All of our cats and kittens are loved, spoiled, and cherished daily, but we do recognize the benefit of being the sole "apple of your owner's eye." :)