Tips to protect yourself when buying a pedigree cat
How to Tell If You’re Being Scammed by a Maine Coon Breeder
Maine Coon breeder scam,
If you’ve been searching for a Maine Coon kitten online, you’ve probably noticed two things pretty quickly: they’re adorable… and they’re expensive. Because they’re such a popular breed, Maine Coons have unfortunately become a huge target for online scams.
A lot of scam “breeders” build convincing websites, post cute photos, and promise the perfect kitten. But once they get your deposit, the kitten suddenly disappears—or never existed in the first place.
If you’re looking for a Maine Coon, here are some common red flags that something might not be right.
The Price Is Way Too Good to Be True
Maine Coon kittens from responsible breeders usually cost $2,000–$3,500 or more depending on pedigree and location.
So if you find someone selling “purebred Maine Coon kittens” for $400 or $500, that should immediately raise an eyebrow. Scammers know that a low price will grab attention and make people act quickly.
Sometimes they’ll claim the price is low because they’re “moving,” “relocating,” or just want the kitten to go to a good home quickly. Unfortunately, that’s a very common scam tactic.
They Won’t Video Chat With You
A real breeder will almost always be happy to show you their kittens on a live video call.
If someone refuses to video chat, keeps making excuses, or only sends pre-recorded clips, that’s a big warning sign. Many scammers use photos and videos stolen from real breeders’ websites.
A simple FaceTime or Zoom call where they show the kitten (and ideally the mom) should not be a problem for a legitimate breeder.
They’ll Ship the Kitten Anywhere Immediately
Good breeders are usually pretty careful about where their kittens go. They might ask questions about your home, your experience with cats, or whether you’ve owned a Maine Coon before.
If someone says they can ship the kitten anywhere right away with no questions asked, that’s suspicious.
A lot of scams work like this: after you pay for the kitten, a fake shipping company contacts you asking for extra fees for things like travel crates, insurance, or temperature-controlled transport.
The Website Looks Nice… But Something Feels Off
Scam websites and Facebook pages can actually look pretty convincing at first glance. But if you look closely, you’ll often notice things like:
Every kitten is “available now”
The descriptions are very generic
The website was created very recently
They have a First and Last name then Maine Coons like : “Jane Doe Maine Coons”
Doing a quick reverse image search can sometimes reveal that the kitten photos were taken from another breeder’s site.
They Only Accept Certain Payment Methods
Be cautious if a breeder insists on payment through things like:
Gift Cards
Wire transfers
Cryptocurrency
Those payment methods are difficult (or impossible) to reverse if something goes wrong.
Legitimate breeders usually have contracts, deposits, and traceable payment methods.
They Aren’t Associated With Any Cat Organizations
Many reputable breeders register their cats with organizations like:
The International Cat Association (TICA)
Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)
Registration doesn’t automatically guarantee someone is trustworthy, but it’s usually a good sign when combined with transparency and good communication.
Trust Your Gut
Sometimes the biggest red flag is just a weird feeling. If the communication feels scripted, the answers are vague, or things just don’t add up, it’s okay to walk away.
Finding the right Maine Coon breeder might take a little time, but it’s worth it to make sure you’re getting a healthy kitten from someone who actually cares about their cats.
And if something feels too good to be true online… it usually is.
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