Avoiding Scams: A Guide for Maine Coon Lovers

Lately, there’s been an increase in people falling victim to scams when looking to purchase these beautiful cats. The two main culprits are often unrealistic price expectations and an urgent need to get a kitten "right now." Here’s how to protect yourself from scams and ensure you’re dealing with a reputable breeder. 

A responsibly bred Maine Coon kitten typically costs between $2,500 and $6,500. This price reflects the significant time, money, and care invested by the breeder, including:

• Genetic Testing: Ensuring kittens are free from hereditary diseases.
• Veterinary Care: Routine veterinary care is essential. This includes regular check-ups, vaccinations, and spaying/neutering for kittens. For our breeding cats, it also involves consistent diagnostic health testing to ensure they remain healthy and capable of producing strong, healthy kittens, 
• Quality Nutrition: High-quality food for both the kittens and breeding cats. 
• Breeding Programs: Maintaining healthy lines and good temperaments.

If you see a Maine Coon listed for $600, it’s almost certainly a scam. This breed is expensive to raise properly, and no responsible breeder can afford to sell a kitten at that price. Remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

At de Empurr'Dune: I always list clear pricing on my website. If you have any questions, I’m happy to walk you through what goes into those costs. 

• Genetic Testing: We genetically test all of our kittens.
• Veterinary Care: all of our kittens will see a veterinarian more than 4 times before they go home.  This is essential to evaluate their health and well-being before going to their furrever homes.
• Quality Nutrition: We proudly feed Farmina N&D Prime - we are a proud member of the Farmina Breeder's Club.  All of our kittens will come with 1 month of food for transition and we provide a discount to their online store.  We also supplement all of our cats and kitten's dry food diet with high quality raw protein, essential for all growing felines.  

Scammers often showcase multiple kittens that are all the same age and “ready to go.” This is a major red flag. Legitimate breeders usually:

• Post regular updates with photos of the same litter from birth until they’re ready to go home at 12-16 weeks.
• Show a mix of different-aged kittens, as breeders don’t always have litters ready to go.
• Feature parent photos alongside kitten photos, ensuring you see the full family history.

At de Empurr'Dune: I have kittens at various stages of development. Rarely are they immediately available. My kittens stay with me until they are strong, healthy, and have had all their vaccinations and veterinary checks and are spayed/neutered. They are never rushed to go home. You can also follow their development from the moment they are born until they are ready to go home

 When assessing a breeder:

• Check Parent Photos: Ensure the breeder provides pictures and videos of both parents. Verify that the coat colors match what the kittens could realistically inherit. For example, two solid black cats cannot produce a litter of red kittens.
• Beware of Improbable Colors and Genders: If a breeder claims to have male calicos, torbies, or red females without a red parent, it’s a scam. Some color and gender combinations are genetically impossible without specific parent traits.

Breeders regularly post photos, so check:

• Backgrounds: Are they consistent? Are they in the same home or environment?
• Watermarks: Many breeders watermark their photos. If you notice the watermark is partially cropped or missing, it’s a sign the image may be stolen.
• Quality: Professional breeders take pride in their photos. Blurry, low-resolution, or mismatched photos can indicate a scam.

Scammers often change their location or have conflicting information across their profiles:

• Location Changes: Does the breeder’s location keep shifting? Do reviews mention different states or countries?
• Review Consistency: Look for reviews on multiple platforms. Do they sound authentic? If reviews mention other animals like puppies, be cautious.

 A Maine Coon is not an item to be bought with a “Buy It Now” button. Avoid:

• Free or Cheap Offers: Nothing is free, especially not a purebred Maine Coon. If you’re offered a free cat or an unbelievable discount, it’s a scam.
• Buy It Now Buttons: If a website has an “Available” section followed by a “Buy It Now” or “Reserve Now” button with a price of $600-$1,200, RUN.

 A legitimate breeder will:

• Explain Testing: They should readily provide details about health testing and what’s included, not just vague statements like “n/n” (which refers to genetic testing).
• Registration: Ask where they are registered (e.g., TICA, CFA) and verify this. Scammers sometimes register under fake names because it’s cheap and easy. Also, beware of breeders claiming “AKC registered” as this is a dog registry, not for cats.
• Pedigree Information: A responsible breeder will provide full pedigree details upon request. They should also explain the lines, any titles, and the health of their breeding cats.

 Scammers often use specific tactics:

• Gift Cards or Untraceable Payments: Never pay with gift cards or other untraceable methods.
• Price Fluctuations: If the price changes during your conversation, it’s a scam. Responsible breeders set their prices and stick to them.
• Unusual Requests for Extra Money: If they suddenly ask for more money for things like “emergency vet care” or “shipping issues,” walk away.

While some breeders may allow visits, many do not due to safety and biosecurity concerns:

• Respect Privacy: Many breeders operate from their private homes and don’t allow visitors to protect their family and cats.
• Safety Concerns: Unfortunately, some breeders have had bad experiences with visitors, including theft, harassment, and even violence.
• Health Risks: Visitors can unknowingly bring diseases, fleas, or parasites into a cattery, endangering the kittens.

• Behind-the-Scenes Content: Does the breeder share casual updates or behind-the-scenes glimpses of their cattery? This transparency is a good sign.
• Environment: Are the cats raised in a clean, open environment rather than cages?
• Willingness to Answer Questions: A responsible breeder will be open and thorough in answering your questions, not rushing you or avoiding topics.
• Kitten Placement Process: Does the breeder care about placing the kitten in the right home? Expect an interview process to ensure a good match.
• References and Referrals: Can the breeder connect you with previous buyers for references?
• Video Calls: If you can’t visit in person, ask for a video call to see the cats live in the cattery.

Scams are easy to avoid if you stay informed and alert. Remember that reputable breeders are dedicated to the health and well-being of their cats, and this is reflected in every aspect of their work. Take your time, ask the right questions, and be thorough in your research. Your perfect Maine Coon is worth the wait and investment.

Stay vigilant, and happy cat searching!

One effective way to spot a scam is by verifying the website's ownership using a WHOIS lookup. WHOIS is a public database that provides information about the ownership and registration details of a domain name. Here’s how you can use WHOIS to protect yourself:

1. Check the Domain Age: Scammers often use recently created websites. A legitimate cattery will usually have an established online presence. If the domain was created just a few weeks or months ago, proceed with caution.
2. Verify Contact Information: WHOIS can show you the name, address, phone number, and email of the domain owner. Compare this information with the details provided on the breeder's website. Discrepancies can be a red flag.
3. Look for Red Flags: Be wary if the domain owner's information is hidden behind a privacy service. While some legitimate businesses do this, it’s often used by scammers to conceal their identity.
4. Check the Domain's History: Tools like the Wayback Machine can show you how a website has changed over time. A legitimate breeder’s site will have a consistent history, whereas a scammer’s site may have frequent changes or different content.

To perform a WHOIS lookup, you can use websites like whois.com or ICANN Lookup. Simply enter the domain name, and you'll get the registration details. If anything seems off, it’s better to walk away and find a more reliable breeder.

You can also check the legitimacy of a cattery by looking up their registered name with recognized cat breed associations. Here are some helpful resources:

• The International Cat Association (TICA): Use the TICA Cattery Database to verify the cattery's name and registration status.
• The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA): Search for cattery names using the CFA Cattery Name Search.
• Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe): For European breeders, check their registration with FIFe using their FIFe Cattery Database.

If a breeder cannot be found on these databases, or if the cattery name doesn’t match their provided details, it’s a strong indication that you should proceed with caution.

 Pawpeds.com  

• About: PawPeds.com, established in 2000 by Ulrika Olsson, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing valuable resources and education for cat breeders worldwide. Originally created to offer information on genetic variation and the history of pedigreed cats, PawPeds has grown into a vital tool for breeders, offering extensive pedigree databases, articles on health and breeding, and specialized courses. 
• Pawpeds Databases: PawPeds hosts comprehensive pedigree databases for various cat breeds, as well as dogs and horses. These databases allow breeders to perform inbreeding coefficient calculations and pedigree analyses, helping them make informed decisions in their breeding programs. 
• Evaluating Breeders:  PawPeds can also be a powerful tool for potential kitten buyers. By examining a breeder’s pedigrees, you can assess whether they are overbreeding or have high inbreeding percentages in their lines. High inbreeding percentages can lead to health issues, so using PawPeds to check these details ensures you’re choosing a responsible breeder committed to the health and well-being of their cats. 
• Educational Resources:   PawPeds publishes articles on a wide range of health and breeding topics, supporting the continuous education of breeders. The organization also offers online courses through the PawAcademy, designed to improve breeders' knowledge at various levels.

For more information, visit PawPeds.com.