PSA Beware of Maine Coon Scams

Longmont CO

Description

I see many scams on here and wanted to post some info to help people avoid being cheated. Most scammers steal someone's pictures from the internet and use them to advertise kittens they don't have. Others claim to be rehoming a Maine Coon and the picture, when there is one, is clearly not a Maine Coon or it's a stolen picture and they don't have the animal. Some say they don't sell their beloved kittens just a small rehoming fee and guess what they are supposedly a few states away and will ship you the kitten, for a fee of course; they don't have the animal(s) and chances are they are actually overseas. Once you send money you won't be able to get it back. Sites that show Maine Coons for cheap prices are scams (example $600 or $800) with a buy now button the site. No legit breeder will have a buy now/reserve now button on their website. Do not give your personal info out. Ask for the cattery name and organization it's associated with. Ask about health testing (it's super important) and papers even if you don't care about papers because people saying they aren't giving papers to kittens sold as pets are back yard breeders that aren't doing any health testing and they are breaking their contracts by breeding the animals. If they are breeding two non papered animals then they are breeding blindly and could be breeding close relatives and you don't know what you are getting. Ask for references and video chats. If they refuse cease communicating with them. If you are looking for a cheap Maine Coon, you will be scammed or get a sick animal 99% of the time. In rare cases a legit person is needing to rehome a Maine Coon. You won't get a cheap Maine Coon kitten through a proper breeder that does all the health testing, including DNA testing, hip scans and heart echoes prior to breeding. One that focuses on the well being of the animals in their care above all else and refuses to overbreed. One that focuses on healthy well socialized kittens and finding them the best home versus any home. One that requires a contract and offers a health guarantee for the kittens they sell. While you won't get a cheap kitten because running a cattery is expensive, you could get an awesome retiree which is a great way to get a Maine Coon on a budget. Just make sure you are dealing with a legit person with a good reputation. Be careful, so many people get scammed.