The rescue cat that looks like a MC and acts like a MC can deliver every drop of the same love and joy to your home that a purebred can whether or not it qualifies for this group. Breeds are defined by associations, not by science. But if you want a Purebred Maine C**n, and that’s what this group is about, first accept it is a matter of definition and breeders’ associations that shape the definiti
on. If you can’t afford a purebred, then Google “Maine C**n rescue organizations” within driving distance. It’s a smart choice. Second, if you are determined to have a Purebred Maine C**n, look for a breeder within driving distance. Let’s define “driving distance.” “Driving distance” is the time it would take you to to spend as much time on the road as your kitten would spend in shipment. It is my opinion that if you are of the mind to ship a kitten from Europe but won’t drive eight or twelve hours to pick up a kitten from a reputable breeder, you don’t deserve a Maine C**n but you do deserve to be caged for a day or two. I challenge anyone to debate the issue on a separate thread. Avoid farms, catteries, and exaggerated breed reputations. Find someone who raises pets and don’t expect your kitten to spend more time in an airplane hold than you will drive to collect him. Third, ideally, find a breeder who has one female and one male and raises the kittens in a home. I drove six hours for my last MC and was happy to because I found a breeder whose children played with the kittens. It’s another unarguable fact that the first six weeks of your kitten’s life are formative and only a fool buys blindly. Finally, forget about breed exaggerations like size and number of toes. Really, folks? What about the almost dog-like characteristics of loyalty and affection? All I can think i about when you say you want a 20 #+ Main C**n is, do you realize the size and volume of the litter box you’re asking for? Do those things really matter? All exaggerated breed characteristics does is to encourage overbreeding/inbreeding issues. What you should care about is personality. The breeder who raises Maine C**n kittens in her home with her children is the ideal person to purchase from. No, I will not recommend breeders here or privately. It’s a violation of the spirit of this group as expressed by the group owner and, frankly, if you don’t care enough to research it yourself you might not deserve a Maine C**n cat.