Maine Coon Links
Much of the information below would be helpful for cats of any breed
and mixed breed cats. There is also a list of animal-related charities
at the bottom for anyone so inclined.
For more on cats, see the Cats category of this blog.
The breeders and veterinarians are knowledgeable. The links speak for themselves. I have added only a few short comments of my own.
Choosing a New Cat or Kitten
Purebred Cat Rescue Page on Selecting a Cat
CFA Breeders Referral and Information on Selecting a New Cat
When should I get a new cat to replace one which has died?
Dzcoonz: Etiquette for Visits to Catteries
How to Find a Maine Coon Kitten from Stormwatch Maine Coons.
How can I tell if a breeder or rescuer is reputable? from Purebred Cat Rescue.
Avoiding Kitten Mills (Breeder horror stories: here, here, and here)
Puppy mills - not the only players in the animal cruelty business
Thank you if you signed the petition to end puppy mills in California under the Responsible Breeder Act of 2009. The bill passed the California Assembly on a vote of 60 to 14 and now moves to the State Senate. California Chronicle article 5-21-09. It will be voted on in Senate Committee on July 14. Yes on AB 241 Website.
Introducing Your New Cat or Kitten to Your Home and Other Animals
MooseCoons Page on Health Issues of Introducing a Kitten to a New Home
Willowplace Page on Introducing a Kitten to a New Home
Reigning Cats Page on Preparing for Your New Kitten
California Maine Coon Breeders
The following list is not a recommendation of these particular breeders. I have included them because they have good websites. In some cases, that is all I know about them. Please see the article above about avoiding kitten mills, as there are impostor websites by which kitten mills seek to pass themselves off as legitimate breeders. Also, before visiting any cattery, please see the article above on etiquette for visiting catteries.
L.A.P.D. (Los Angeles Purrs Department) - Los Angeles
Ahwannacoon - East of Stockton
Windwalker - Sacramento
Coonyham - San Francisco Bay Area
Calimaine - San Diego County
Degoonacoon- Los Angeles County
Lost Coast Maine Coons - North of Santa Cruz
Witman Manor - East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
ShastaCoons - Redding
Whatatrill - Wine Country
McInkats - Monterey Peninsula
Maine Coon History, Legends and Characteristics
Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association
Cat Fanciers Association Maine Coon Article
Fog City Maine Coons of Connecticut
Calimaine's Maine Coon Origins Page
Verismocat's About the Breed Page
Coonpals About the Maine Coon Page
Pawpeds Maine Coon Database (pedigrees back to foundation Maine Coon cats)
HCM, Hip Displasia and Other Health Issues in Maine Coons
Maine Coon Health Information - Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association
HCM Fundraiser - Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association
Coonyham Page on HCM and Hip Displasia
Winn Feline Health Feline Hip Displasia Page
UC Davis Center for Companion Animal Articles Page with downloadable interview with Dr. Niels C. Pedersen on FIP
Cat Fanciers Association Article on FIP with links to other articles on FIP
Hollis Hill Maine Coons page on HCM, FIP and Entropian
Care and Feeding
Windwalker Care and Feeding Page
Chemicoons Page on a Cat Safe House
MooseCoons Kitten Growth and Development Page
MCBFA Page on Care, Health and Safety of a New Kitten
ASPCA Cat Care Page and Cat Nutrition Page
Vicky Halls Cat Behavior Counselor
Tips on Winter Pet Care from the Weather Channel
Warning: Top 10 Winter Dangers for Pets from Pets Best Insurance
Cornell Feline Health Center - articles and videos on caring for cats' health
Camuti Consultation Service - reasonably priced telephone consultations about cat health problems affiliated with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Best Friends Animal Society's Cat Care Library (Best Friends is the animal society that operates the Dog Town Sanctuary seen on TV. They also have a Cat World.)
Indoor Cat Initiative - a website with information from veterinary professor C.A. Tony Buffington on the needs of indoor cats, with an emphasis on major life stressors and ways to enrich indoor cats' lives, boosting their resistance to disease.
Grooming and Bathing a Maine Coon
Coonyham Grooming and Bathing Page
Products
World's Best Cat Litter - This litter is both digestible and clumping.
Hidy Tidy Litter Box Furniture
South Paw Pet Supply carriers, collars, and unique and eco-friendly pet supplies
Humberto's ("Cats and Carpet") custom, hand made kitty trees
Petzones kitty trees and supplies
Great Lakes Cat Furniture beautiful, upscale kitty trees
A Hidden Hollow more beautiful, upscale kitty trees
Go Pet Club creative, reasonably priced kitty trees
CritterCord protects pets from electrical wiring
Pet Airways pet only airline
Groomer's Goop Products for Cat Baths at Revival Animal Health
Cat and Kitten Foods
Some of the websites have more information than just about their pet foods.
Ethical Issues of Breeding and Caring for Animals
Philosophy of Breeding from the Italian Carmelite Nuns' Cattery ("Tribu del Deserto")
The Animals in the Vatican Basilica (The Vatican's view of pictures of animals in St. Peter's)
Solicitudo rei Socialis by Pope John Paul II, 1987, section 34:
The first consideration is the appropriateness of acquiring a growing awareness of the fact that one cannot use with impunity the different categories of beings, whether living or inanimate - animals, plants, the natural elements - simply as one wishes, according to one's own economic needs. On the contrary, one must take into account the nature of each being and of its mutual connection in an ordered system, which is precisely the cosmos.
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 2004, Section 473:
The Christian vision of creation makes a positive judgment on the acceptability of human intervention in nature, which also includes other living beings, and at the same time makes a strong appeal for responsibility. In effect, nature is not a sacred or divine reality that man must leave alone. Rather, it is a gift offered by the Creator to the human community, entrusted to the intelligence and moral responsibility of men and women. For this reason the human person does not commit an illicit act when, out of respect for the order, beauty and usefulness of individual living beings and their function in the ecosystem, he intervenes by modifying some of their characteristics or properties. Human interventions that damage living beings or the natural environment deserve condemnation, while those that improve them are praiseworthy. The acceptability of the use of biological and biogenetic techniques is only one part of the ethical problem: as with every human behaviour, it is also necessary to evaluate accurately the real benefits as well as the possible consequences in terms of risks. In the realm of technological-scientific interventions that have forceful and widespread impact on living organisms, with the possibility of significant long-term repercussions, it is unacceptable to act lightly or irresponsibly.
Animal Charities
These links are for humane society and rescue sites and other pet-related charities:
Humane Society of the United States
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Island Cat Rescue and Adoption (Northern California)
Special Care Foundation for Companion Animals
Foundation for Animal Care and Education (Funding for veterinary treatment for pet owners who cannot afford to pay for urgent veterinary care for their animals)
The Ricky Fund for HCM Research
Center for Companion Animal Health (U.C. Davis)
Best Friends Animal Society (Dog Town, Cat World, and sanctuary for other animals too)
Click to Save the Big Cats:
Care2.com Click to Donate Page (Donations go to the Wildlife Conservation Society)
Credit: The photo (top left corner) is my kitten. Except for that, all clipart and graphics above are from i-love-cats.com.
Rainbow Bridge Video:
