Our Cattery Terms: Maine Coon Cattery Policies

1. Health Testing and Veterinary Care

Health Guarantee: Our Cattery Terms offer a one-year genetic health guarantee for all kittens. This covers specific genetic conditions discovered within one year after adoption. Our veterinarian must verify the presence of a genetic disorder in the kitten.

Refund Policy: If buyers become unsatisfied with their kitten due to genetic health reasons within the first year, they may surrender the kitten back into our care. Note that we do not issue refunds. If the kitten passes away due to a specific genetic condition, we will offer another kitten free of charge. This is not to imply kittens are replacable objects, and we understand the heartache from the loss of a pet. It is intended to validate our confidence in our kittens genetic background and overall health.

Health Screenings: Our Cattery Terms require all breeding cats to undergo comprehensive health screenings and genetic testing for common hereditary conditions. These include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hip dysplasia, and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). We also test for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). We cannot be held accountable if these conditions develop after adoption.

Regular Veterinary Check-Ups: Our cats receive regular veterinary check-ups to ensure optimal health.

Vaccinations and Preventative Care: All kittens are up-to-date on vaccinations, deworming, and flea prevention before going to their new homes.

Health Disclaimer: Even with extensive testing and immaculate living conditions, health issues may still develop after the kitten has been purchased and enters its new home. The breeder is not liable for these issues, nor does it suggest that any information was withheld.

Vaccinations and Documentation: We provide the first two rounds of shots and vaccinations for all kittens, with corresponding documentation provided to the buyer. Rabies vaccination, microchipping, and any additional veterinary expenses are the buyer’s sole responsibility.

2. Breeding Practices

Selective Breeding: Our Cattery Terms ensure we carefully select breeding pairs based on health, blood type, temperament, and adherence to breed standards to maintain and improve the Maine Coon breed.

Limited Litters: We strictly limit each Queen to a maximum of two litters per year. This practice ensures her well-being and adequate recovery time between litters. It also allows her to relax and enjoy being a house cat in our home.

Retirement of Breeding Cats: Our Cattery Terms include retiring breeding cats at an appropriate age, placing them in loving homes (or keeping them in ours) to enjoy a long, comfortable life.

Overall Health: Should any health issues arise in a Queen, or if she experiences complications during litters, we will remove her from the breeding program to ensure her health and safety. The welfare of our cats is our utmost priority. We will never compromise their well-being under any circumstances.

3. Living Conditions and Socialization

Clean and Enriching Environment: Our cattery provides a clean, safe, and enriching environment for our cats and kittens. There is plenty of sunlight, fresh air, space, toys, trees, beds, and activities.

Proper Socialization: Kittens are raised in a family environment, exposed to various stimuli, and socialized with people, other pets, and everyday household activities.

Handling and Interaction: Our Cattery Terms require that kittens are handled daily to ensure they are well-adjusted and friendly.

Minimum Age Requirement: Kittens are not placed in new homes until they are a minimum of 14 weeks old. This ensures they have ample time to develop, socialize, and build strong immune systems before being adopted.

4. Transparency and Documentation

Open Communication: We maintain open communication with prospective buyers, providing detailed information about our breeding practices, health protocols, and the kittens’ lineage.

Documentation Provided: New owners receive all relevant documentation, including health records, vaccination certificates, and pedigree information.

Cattery Visits: Our Cattery Terms aim to prevent contamination and potential health risks to our kittens. Therefore, we do not allow visitors in our cattery. However, we ensure full transparency by sharing images and videos of our cattery. We are also happy to offer live video chats from our cattery. Additionally, families can meet us in person at our store, “Natural Carnivore,” located in Johnson Creek, WI.

5. Placement and Adoption

Thorough Screening: We conduct comprehensive screening of potential buyers to ensure our kittens are placed in responsible and loving homes. We reserve the right to refuse the sale of a kitten to any home that we believe will not provide a clean, safe, and secure environment for them.

Spay/Neuter Agreement: All pet-quality kittens are sold with a spay/neuter agreement to prevent unplanned breeding. This needs to be completed within the first year of purchase. We do not sell breeding rights. Kittens are sold strictly as pet only.

Lifelong Support: We offer lifelong support to our buyers, providing guidance on care, training, and health issues.

6. Ethical Standards and Memberships

Ethical Breeding Practices: We adhere to ethical breeding practices, prioritizing the health and well-being of our cats and kittens over profit.

Memberships: Our Cattery Terms include being proud members of reputable cat breeding organizations such as TICA (The International Cat Association), CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association), or WCF (World Cat Federation). We adhere to their codes of ethics and standards.

7. Education and Awareness

Owner Education: We provide educational materials and resources to new owners on proper care, nutrition, and training of Maine Coons.

Community Involvement: We actively participate in the cat breeding community, attending cat shows and sharing knowledge with fellow breeders and pet owners.

By implementing and adhering to our Cattery Terms, we strive to be a legitimate, ethical, and responsible Maine Coon cattery. We are dedicated to the health and happiness of our cats and kittens.

8. Deposits & Purchases

Cash is King: We prefer cash for all of our transactions. However, we do allow options for deposits and purchases.

Payment Terms: Customers making a deposit or purchasing via PayPal or Venmo are responsible for any service fees associated with those providers. Purchases using a debit or credit card are allowed, but a 3.5% surcharge will be applied to cover processing fees. We do not accept checks.

We accept a $500 non-refundable deposit only after kittens are 5 weeks old and you have chosen a specific kitten. Deposits may be made:

• In person with cash

• By cashier’s check

• Through PayPal or Venmo (fee rates vary)

• Debit or Credit Card (3.5% fee added)

Every non-refundable deposit includes a signed, detailed receipt, and the full amount is applied toward the final purchase price of your kitten. We do not accept personal or business checks due to the risk of insufficient funds, stop‑payment actions, or bank disputes, any of which can result in an unlawful transfer of a kitten without valid payment. For the protection of our kittens and our program, only secure payment methods are allowed.

Reservation deposits are non‑refundable under all circumstances. Once a deposit is placed, the chosen kitten is removed from public availability, and we decline all other inquiries for them. We immediately begin investing daily care, resources, and veterinary support on behalf of the reserving family, and these commitments cannot be recovered if a family later changes their mind. However, if a family decides they are interested in a different available kitten, the deposit may be transferred in full to that kitten, provided they are still available at the time of the request.

9. Representation of Cats

All cats depicted on our website are either currently owned and raised by us or were previously raised directly under our care. All images of the cats are taken by us, and we own the copyright to these images. Our logo is trademarked. We ensure that all images and descriptions accurately represent the cats we have nurtured and cared for. Any representation otherwise is strictly prohibited without our explicit written and validated permission.