Maine Coon Adoption – Quick Guide
Where To Adopt A Maine Coon
There are several places to consider for Maine Coons adoption. Probably the first place to look is in your local shelters. The chances are if you go down the Maine Coon adoption/rescue route you’ll see many look-alikes and Maine Coon mixes. Purebred Maine Coons with papers (which is the only way to prove a Maine Coon is a Maine Coon) will be harder to find and the first to find new homes.
There are several specialist Maine Coon adoption and rescue centers dotted around the US. I’ve listed the ones I can find on the Maine Coon rescue page. If you happen to live within range of one of these organizations, I’d recommend getting in touch with them right away if you have a home to offer. All rescue centers have more cats than space or homes available where cats can be re-housed. Rescue centers are always in need of temporary foster homes which may be an option for those not wishing to take on a permanent commitment.
Choosing A Maine Coon Cat To Adopt
Having spoken with many prospective new MC owners over the years, I know the price of a Maine Coon is a consideration for many. Some have even asked where to find a free Maine Coon. It’s important to point out that adoption is not the ‘free option’ some are looking for. Rescue centers do not nearly cover their costs through adoption fees and rely heavily on donations. When you take your new cat home the cost of food, vets, insurance, equipment are of course the same regardless of how much the initial cost is. Anyway, to give you an idea of the cost of adoption here’s some prices quoted from the Maine Coon Adoption website based in Northern California.
- $175 for pure breds with papers
- $150 for kittens up to one year old
- $125 for healthy cats from one to eight years old
- $100 for mature cats over eight years old or special-needs cats
If you’re interested in a Maine Coon for adoption, other factors you’ll want to consider is the history of the cat. Many abandoned cats may be traumatized. Some may not be so good around children or other animals. Others may have to live mainly indoors or outdoors.
You must be realistic about the care an individual cat needs and be ready to provide the environment necessary to offer a chance for a better life. Nobody wants to see a re-housed cat returned to the rescue center it came from. You may also be persuaded by colors, personality and the bond you feel when you start to meet with cats. Building up relationships with organization staff is a great way to get help deciding the right cat for you.
If they can help you find a cat with that winning Maine Coon personality compatible with you and your living situation everyone involved can feel very happy a great match has been found. An important part of Maine Coon adoption work is matchmaking for the longer term. Many people say Maine Coons choose you 
so you may not have too much choice anyway!
Next>>>Maine Coon rescue – list of organizations
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Click here to see one of the earliest Maine Coon cat pictures ever taken
Maine Coon Rescue – Where to Look…
List of Maine Coon Cat Rescue Organisations
http://www.mainecoonrescue.net/
Maine Coon Rescue (MCR) is a nationwide network of volunteers who share one love, Our Beloved Maine Coon Cats. MCR’s mission is:
- To rescue abused, abandoned, surrendered and homeless Maine Coon (MC) Cats whether registered or not.
- To act as liaison between shelters, animal control and disaster agencies nationwide.
- To assist in providing appropriate medical care; to ensure all MC and MC Mix cats placed directly through, or into carefully screened Maine Coon Rescue (MCR) Foster Homes are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots, tested for FeLV/FIV.
- To provide carefully screened foster homes, if necessary prior to re-homing.
- To assist in assuring that they are placed in carefully screened forever homes.
- To share our wisdom and knowledge of this magnificent breed to assist in identifying MC/MC Mix cats that wind up in shelters.
- To educate potential adopters about the breed.
- To alert breeders that a cat from their cattery may need help.
- To network with other rescue groups and pool our resources.
- To help transport MC/MC Mix cats to their temporary foster or new forever homes.
- To network with other transport groups and pool our resources.
- To assist in providing resources, education and information regarding spay/neuter, declawing, behavior problems, indoor/outdoor issues.
- To do our part to educate the public about responsible pet ownership.
- To remain ever at hand, if needed, after a successful rescue has taken place.
Northern California
http://www.mainecoonadoptions.com/
Maine Coon Adoptions is the adoption division of Preventing Euthanasia Through Rescue (PET Rescue), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. They are a team of volunteers who love all cats and are particularly drawn to Maine Coon and Maine Coon mixes because of their wonderful personalities.
Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arkansas
http://www.mainecoonsavers.com/
Maine Coon Rescue Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization staffed solely by volunteers. The mission is to rescue, foster, and place Maine Coons and Maine Coon mixes in carefully screened homes within the following geographical boundaries.
They are dedicated to finding a good match; one that meets their individual needs as well as your family, and are happy to work with you as long as it takes to find the right match.
New England – United Maine Coon Cat Rescue League
http://www.mainecooncatrescue.org/
The United Maine Coon Cat Rescue League is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit, volunteer organization made up of breeders and fanciers of the Maine Coon Cat. UMCCRL was created to fill a need to educate the public on spay and neuter, and proper cat care; and to provide rescue, foster care, and placement for homeless Maine Coon Cats.
Arizona Maine Coon Cat Rescue
AZ-MCCR, Inc. is a breed-specific cat rescue group, offering years of experience with Maine Coon and Maine Coon Mix cats. They are dedicated to rescuing, caring for and finding loving homes for these most precious of felines.
East Coast Maine Coon Rescue
East Coast Maine Coon Rescue (ECMCR) is an organization of dedicated volunteers who are committed to rescuing abandoned Maine Coon cats. The organization’s mission is to rescue abused, abandoned, surrendered and homeless maine Coon cats whther registered or not, to provide carefully screened foster homes, to assist in identifying Maine Coons/mixes that find themselves in shelters.
Adopt a Pet
Adopt-a-Pet.com (formerly 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com) is a non-profit pet adoption charity that helps shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their pets to adopters for free.
PetFinder.com
Petfinder is an online, searchable database of animals who need homes. It is also a directory of more than 13,000 animal shelters and adoption organizations across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Although these last two are not specifically Maine Coon rescue organizations, they’re national across the US, and the websites are packed with useful information and good places to find a Maine Coon for adoption.
Next>>>Maine Coon Care
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Click here to see one of the earliest Maine Coon cat pictures ever taken
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