Is this too much for an unregistered Maine Coon?

[Ihavepixies]

How much should I pay for a maine coon? I've seen pedigrees being advertised for £1500+ (non active). I have also seen some non pedigrees, no papers, being advertised for £700. I have a suspicion mum cat is not a 100% maine coon, she is a bit too small. I've seen the dad and he has pedigree certificates. The kittens will probably look like Maine Coons nonetheless. Is this a lot of money for an unregistered kitten however? Would I be able to find a registered Maine Coon for this price? Thanks!

There should be some kind of club who will keep a record of breeders. I wouldn’t be searching online. And why not registered? I would worry it was as the mother had had too many litters etc.

There is indeed a breed club, and you would do far better to go through them.

It really isn't about price, but about the "quality" of the cat, ensuring it has been raised in a good environment etc.

Are you wanting a Maine Coon because of their breed characteristics or just because of the way they look?

Are you planning to keep it/them indoors or let them out?

Hello, thank you for your input. I am looking for an indoor cat. I like the look and the personality, my cat doesn't need to be a lap cat, but I do like cats that are quite vocal and interactive. I considered ragdolls, maine coons, norwegian forest cats. It is a lady local to me selling kittens. The kittens are well looked after but I suspect that mother cat is either not a full maine coon, she says that she waa sold to her as a full maine coon though so I don't think she is actively deceiving, it is likely that her cat is from a non active pairing (which could be why it doesn't seem to quite meet the breed standard?) So yes I just wondered if £700 was a lot of money for kittens that are not bred to meet any breed standard and not pedigrees in the true sense. I contacted another few breeders that are reasonable travelling distance and they have put their prices up to £1500 and £2000 to prevent reselling for profit apparantly. But yes, perhaps the breed club can let me know what a reasonable price is and point me towards some local breeders. Thank you!

You may well not find a really local breeder. And you may have to wait.
Definitely sounds like the scenario is one you needed to run far away from!
Contact the breed club. Research and be patient.
TBH if you want a certain character I would rather get an adult rescue. You’ll have more idea if it’s a lap cat, aloof or an attention seeking shouter!

I paid £700 last summer for my registered non active pedigree Norwegian forest kitten Falkor. So many people are trying to sell long haired moggys as maine coon or nfc. I researched local breeders and asked if they had a waitlist. Here he is

Where I am there is so much demand for pets that people are selling any old moggy with longish hair as a maine coon cross, while kittens that to me look like a tabby are sold as part Bengal. They're going for anywhere between 350 and 600.

We've all heard about puppy farms but with those prices I'm sure there are some people trying to make a fast buck off their cat too. I'd be cautious from what you describe.

It is absolutely essential that you have documentary evidence as to the pedigree of the cat. There is no point purchasing a Maine Coon cat if the cat is not a Maine Coon cat. The price varies with the quality of the cat. You can pay £1500 for a Maine Coon cat. But do not purchase a Maine Coon without those precious pedigree papers and an absolute certainty that you have the genuine article.

Try contacting the GCCF for a recommended breeder. Don't buy on social media from an unknown person. And never pay money up front on any account.

£700 for an unregistered kitten is a complete waste of money in my opinion. You don't have a Maine Coon (MC). A cat is either an MC or not. There is no halfway. If they are not and MC but look like a MC, they are a moggie. You might as well adopt an attractive rescue cat from a shelter.

Google gccf and there should be a breeder in your area, or google. you need one whose cats are registered otherwise you’ll be paying over the odds for a moggy mix and you’ll have no idea of the (backyard) breeder’s ethics. I would visit and look at the cats with mum if a kitten or general conditions. This way you’ll get an idea of temperament, how well socialised they are otherwise you could be dealing with behaviour and health problems. They can’t let cats go before 13 weeks and need to be vaccinated and vet checked before leaving if they’re a registered breeder. I have seen non registered Maine coons going for a much higher price compared to gccf or Tica registered breeders. You might sometimes have to wait for a cat but go on Facebook groups for breeders or website, pets4homes may have registered too but I would really do research. Wouldn’t trust non registered breeders selling unregistered cats but it’s your money. Sometimes people prefer unregistered so they can also backyard breed them as they won’t be neutered. If you do decide registered then make sure you get the registration card and not just the ‘papers’.