Question 1

Can I place a deposit and then decide on my kitten later?

Accepted Answer

No. Deposits can only be placed on a specific kitten you’ve already chosen. This policy keeps the process fair, organized, and clear for every family on our waiting list.Because each kitten is shown in order to the next qualified family, placing a deposit without choosing a kitten can create confusion. It may lead us to show a family a kitten that has already been reserved, or one that may not be available until the family ahead of them makes their decision. Requiring a confirmed choice at the time of deposit prevents misunderstandings and ensures everyone knows exactly which kittens are available.This approach helps us:Maintain fairness for families who have been patiently waitingAvoid accidental “holds” on kittens that aren’t truly availablePrevent disappointment caused by unclear availabilityKeep communication transparent and the adoption process smoothEnsure each kitten is matched with a family who is fully ready for that specific kittenWe never want anyone to feel rushed or pressured. Our goal is to provide clarity from the very beginning so your adoption experience feels confident, informed, and joyful.

Question 2

Will I lose my place in line if I pass on a kitten or litter?

Accepted Answer

No. You will not lose your place in line if you decide to pass on a kitten—or even an entire litter. We never want any family to feel rushed or pressured into choosing a kitten that isn’t the perfect fit.If a current litter doesn’t have the colors, features, or gender you’re hoping for, it is completely okay to wait for the next one. Choosing a Maine Coon from a reputable breeder is a meaningful, long‑term decision, and we want you to feel confident and excited about the kitten you welcome into your home.Families remain in the same order on our waiting list, even if they choose to wait. This ensures:You never lose your place or your opportunityYou have the freedom to wait for the kitten that truly matches your preferencesThe process stays fair and consistent for everyoneEvery kitten is placed with a family who is fully ready and enthusiastic about that specific kittenYour future kitten is a remarkable companion, and we want your choice to feel perfect—not pressured. When the right kitten comes along, you’ll know, and we’ll be here to make that moment smooth, joyful, and clear from start to finish.

Question 3

How long do I have to decide on a kitten when contacted?

Accepted Answer

We never want any family to feel rushed. However, to keep the process fair and organized for everyone on our waiting list, we kindly ask families to make a decision within 48 hours of being contacted.

We also make sure this moment never comes out of nowhere. Families on our waiting list are notified early—first when we have a confirmed pregnancy, and again when the litter is safely delivered. This gives you several weeks of awareness before kittens are even old enough to be viewed or selected.

Once we reach out to let you know it’s your turn to choose (typically by phone, followed by email or text), we ask for a clear “yes” or “not this time” within 48 hours. If we don’t hear back within that timeframe, we will notify you that we are moving on to the next family in line. You do not lose your place for future litters—your position on the waiting list remains secure.

This policy helps us:

Keep the process moving smoothly for all families
Ensure kittens are shown in the correct order
Avoid delays for families who are next in line
Maintain fairness and clarity throughout the adoption process
Prevent emotional disappointment during the fragile early weeks

Our goal is always the same: to provide clarity, fairness, and a positive, stress‑free experience as you wait for the perfect kitten to join your home.

Question 4

What forms of payment does BMC accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept cash, PayPal, and cashier’s checks. We do not accept personal checks.Cash is always preferred, but many families choose PayPal for the added security it provides. If using PayPal’s Goods & Services option, please note that PayPal charges us a fee (approximately $15 on a $500 deposit). We simply ask that this fee be added to your final balance on adoption day.If paying by cashier’s check, please make it out to Natural Carnivore.Every deposit comes with a signed receipt, and your deposit is always applied toward the full purchase price of your kitten.As a reminder, deposits are non‑refundable, but they are transferable. If you change your mind about the kitten you originally reserved, you may transfer your deposit to another available kitten without losing your place in line.Our goal is to keep the process transparent, organized, and comfortable for every family, from the first conversation to the moment you bring your kitten home.

Question 5

When can I meet my kitten? I want it to choose me...

Accepted Answer

We completely understand and appreciate the desire for your kitten to “choose you.” Many of us have experienced that special moment with pets in the past. However, with Maine Coon kittens—especially in their earliest weeks—this process works a bit differently.

For the safety and health of our kittens, we do not allow any in‑person handling or interaction until they have had their first veterinary exam and initial vaccinations at around 8 weeks old. Newborn kittens are extremely fragile, and even we follow strict sanitation protocols and wear gloves when handling them during their first weeks of life.

Once kittens reach 8 weeks and have been cleared by our veterinarian, families who live close enough are welcome to visit their kitten in person at our store, Natural Carnivore in Johnson Creek, for as long as they’d like. This allows you to meet your kitten in a safe, controlled environment without risking the health of the litter.

For privacy and biosecurity reasons, we do not allow anyone into our in‑home cattery. This protects our kittens from accidental injury and from potential exposure to contagious conditions such as ringworm, which can be unknowingly carried on clothing. Maintaining a clean, safe cattery is essential to raising healthy, confident kittens.

To help families get to know their kittens before they are old enough for visits, we provide:

Photos
Videos
Live FaceTime video chats

These updates allow you to follow your kitten’s development from the very beginning.

It’s also important to understand that while puppies are often known to “select” their families, kittens tend to be more independent. Some may be shy during first introductions simply because everything is new—new people, new smells, new sounds. Others settle in immediately. Their personalities continue to blossom as they grow, especially between 8–14 weeks.

Because we have a long waiting list, our kittens are typically reserved with deposits within their first 1–2 weeks, long before their full coats and personalities have developed. For this reason, it’s usually not possible to wait until 8 weeks to reserve a kitten.

Our goal is never to rush a family, but to be transparent about how the process works so you can make the best decision for your home. We want every family to feel confident, informed, and excited as they welcome their new companion.

Question 6

Will I be updated about litters and my place in line?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We keep every family on our waiting list fully updated, even if they are the newest addition and currently last in line. Whenever we place kittens with families ahead of you, we will let you know how many kittens have been reserved and exactly how far you’ve moved forward on the list.We will also share when we anticipate upcoming litters, though of course nature ultimately determines timing.We truly appreciate every family’s patience during this process. And if at any point you find a healthy kitten through another reputable, ethical breeder, we encourage you to let us know. There is never any pressure or disappointment on our end—we are always happy when a family finds the right kitten, no matter where that may be. We’re here to support you however we can along the way.

Question 7

Can I place a deposit before a kitten is born?

Accepted Answer

Respectfully, no. While we truly appreciate the commitment and excitement families feel, we do not accept deposits on kittens that have not yet been born, confirmed healthy, and cleared for placement.Accepting money before a litter arrives would not feel ethical or responsible. We never want to place a family—or ourselves—in a situation where a deposit has been paid, only for the mating to be unsuccessful, the litter to be smaller than expected, or a kitten to fail to thrive. This can lead to long, uncertain waits and unnecessary financial complications, especially if a family later finds a healthy kitten sooner through another reputable breeder.To keep the process fair, transparent, and stress‑free for everyone, we only accept deposits after a successful litter is born and the kittens have reached 1–2 weeks of age. By that time, we know which kittens are thriving, and families can make informed, confident decisions.Our goal is always to protect families from uncertainty, maintain ethical standards, and ensure every kitten placed through us is healthy, stable, and ready to begin their journey toward their forever home.

Question 8

When a litter is born, how soon do you begin placing kittens?

Accepted Answer

We typically notify families on our waiting list within a day or two of a successful litter being born. However, we do not begin placing kittens or accepting deposits until the kittens are at least two weeks old.

The first two weeks of life are especially critical for newborn kittens. Nature can be unpredictable, and sadly, there are times when individual kittens—or even entire litters—may fail to thrive. While these moments are heartbreaking for us, we work hard to protect families from the emotional pain of choosing a kitten only to later learn that it has passed. Waiting two weeks allows us to ensure the kittens are stable, gaining weight, becoming more mobile, and showing the early signs of healthy development.

Once kittens pass that two‑week milestone and appear strong and thriving, we begin contacting families, sharing photos, and accepting deposits in the order of our waiting list.

It’s important to note that, although rare, kittens can still fade even after two weeks. If a family has placed a deposit on a kitten that later passes, they will receive first right of refusal on any available kittens from the current litter or the next upcoming litter.

Another reason we wait two weeks is that determining gender at birth can be surprisingly difficult. Even veterinarians occasionally misidentify a kitten’s sex in the early days. After two weeks, gender is much easier to confirm with confidence. If a kitten is later discovered to be a different gender than originally thought, families may either keep their reservation (with any necessary price adjustments, since males are priced higher) or receive first right of refusal on the next available kitten.

If no kittens are available and no litters are expected soon, families in either situation—a kitten passing or a gender misidentification—may choose to receive a full refund if they prefer not to wait.

Our goal is always to ensure clarity, fairness, and emotional care for every family while protecting the health and well‑being of our kittens from the very beginning.