No reputable Maine Coon breeder sells kittens on Craigslist. Period. If you see a "purebred Maine Coon kitten" listed on Craigslist, it's either a scam, a backyard breeder, or a mixed-breed cat being mislabeled. I get messages from scammed families every single month — here's how to protect yourself.
The Most Common Scams
The "rehoming fee" scam: Someone claims they're "rehoming" their purebred Maine Coon for a few hundred dollars due to a "family emergency." They ask for payment via Venmo, Zelle, or gift cards. The cat doesn't exist. They disappear after payment.
The stolen photos scam: Scammers steal photos from legitimate breeder websites and Instagram accounts. They post these photos on Craigslist at below-market prices. Reverse image search any photo before sending money.
The "shipping deposit" scam: They claim the kitten is in another state and needs to be shipped. They ask for a shipping deposit of $200-$500. Then there are "additional fees" — insurance, crate, veterinary clearance. The kitten never arrives because it never existed.
The mixed-breed mislabel: This one isn't always a scam — sometimes people genuinely believe their long-haired cat is a Maine Coon. But you're not getting a purebred, and you're getting zero health testing documentation.
Instant Red Flags
- Price under $1,500 for a "purebred" kitten
- No TICA or CFA registration mentioned
- Seller won't do a video call with the kitten
- Payment requested via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- Stock-looking photos or photos with watermarks from other websites
- Seller claims to be from out of state but "can ship"
- "No questions asked" attitude (real breeders ask YOU questions)
How to Verify a Seller
Ask for their TICA breeder number and verify it on TICA's website. Request a video call showing the kitten with its mother. Ask for health testing documentation. Google their phone number and email. Check if they have a legitimate website and social media presence with consistent, long-term posting history.
If a deal seems too good to be true, it is. A purebred, health-tested Maine Coon kitten costs $2,500-$5,000 from a responsible breeder. There are no shortcuts.