I love when prospective families ask me hard questions. It tells me they've done their research. I answer every single one of these openly — my TICA number, my cardiologist's name, my HCM echo results for every cat. If a breeder gets defensive when you ask these questions, that's your answer. Here are the 25 questions that separate responsible breeders from everyone else.
Registration & Credentials
- 1. Are you registered with TICA or CFA? Ask for the cattery registration number. Verify it at tica.org.
- 2. How long have you been breeding Maine Coons? Experience matters, but longevity alone doesn't guarantee quality.
- 3. Are you a member of any breed-specific organizations? MCBFA membership is a positive signal.
- 4. Do you show your cats? Not required, but shows demonstrate breed standard commitment.
Health Testing
- 5. Do you perform annual HCM echocardiograms? This is the #1 question. "DNA testing only" is not sufficient.
- 6. Who performs the echocardiogram? Must be a board-certified veterinary cardiologist (DACVIM).
- 7. Can I see the results for both parents? Great breeders share these proactively.
- 8. What genetic panel do you use? Wisdom Panel or Optimal Selection are the gold standards.
- 9. Are any of your cats carriers for genetic conditions? Carriers can be bred responsibly — but only if paired correctly.
- 10. Do you test for FeLV and FIV? All breeding cats and kittens should test negative.
About the Kittens
- 11. At what age do kittens go home? 12 weeks minimum. Under 10 weeks is a red flag.
- 12. Where are the kittens raised? In-home is ideal. Kennel or cattery room raises socialization concerns.
- 13. What socialization do kittens receive? Exposure to sounds, handling, children, dogs, textures.
- 14. What vaccinations will kittens have at go-home? Minimum two rounds of FVRCP.
- 15. Are kittens microchipped? Standard practice for responsible breeders.
- 16. Are kittens spayed/neutered before go-home? Increasingly common and preferred.
Contract & Guarantee
- 17. Do you provide a written contract? No contract = no accountability.
- 18. What does your health guarantee cover? Duration, specific conditions, and the remedy.
- 19. What is your return policy? Great breeders always take cats back.
- 20. Do you provide TICA registration papers? Should be included in the purchase price.
The Process
- 21. Can I do a video call or visit before placing a deposit? Any refusal is a dealbreaker.
- 22. How do you match kittens to families? Personality-based matching is a sign of quality.
- 23. What payment methods do you accept? Wire transfer or gift cards = scam.
- 24. Do you provide updates during the waiting period? Weekly photos/videos are standard for quality breeders.
- 25. Can I speak with previous adopters? References from real families are invaluable.
A great breeder doesn't just tolerate these questions — they welcome them. If a breeder makes you feel bad for asking, that's not the right breeder. The right breeder is excited to prove they're doing things right.
How Chatlerie Answers
We answer all 25 of these questions in our initial Zoom consultation — before you've paid a cent. Transparency isn't a policy at Chatlerie. It's the culture. Start your application →