Confessions of a Cat Breeder

Hi S! I'm sorry to see that you are feeling taken advantage of BUT look at this like a lesson learned.

The lesson is this ... RESEARCH ... breeding cats and becoming a 'breeder' do not equate to putting a boy cat together with a girl cat and having kittens to sell.

You need to look into the breed you're thinking of breeding ...specific things like the breed standards for the registering organization, the genetics of the different colors and characteristics, are there any health issues with the breed.

Next you need to research other breeders ...find yourself some online groups to join specifically related to your given breed and for novice breeders (yahoo! is a great place to start) and get yourself a mentor (someone who knows about breeding and showing and can answer all of your questions) ... once you've found a good breeder start looking into the pedigrees of their cats (many breeders actually have the pedigrees on their websites)... pedigrees are REALLY important as they tell you the entire family history of your cats and you'll know ahead of time who is related to whom.

As far as the current situation goes ... I can't help you as I am totally unfamiliar with maine coons ... however if it were me I'd get him anyways. If he's a kitten he can't possibly be your girls grandpa (great uncle maybe) and that's actually not a horribly close/bad relationship as far as cat breeding is concerned (it's not ideal but not going to result in mutant kittens either).

Good luck!

WOW! That was a stark and rude reply to a new breeder!

Dear Maine Coon new breeder, The Maine Coon breed is a closed circle. It is really difficult getting help, unless you know someone OR you have a mentor. Breed standard is key to most breeders and they are very serious about it. It sounds to me like you need help, not critism. Please email me and I can steer you in a direction of help. The CFA has a wonderful mentor progrma.

Your contract with this person should address genetic issues, which should also allow you out of the contract if they arise. I have met some wonderful ethical Maine Coon breeders, and some real duds. Do not lose hope. When was your girls' last cycle and how old is she?