How do I acquire a River Valley Maine Coon?
Finding the perfect kitten is of the utmost importance. Therefore, it is critical that that we are in close communication with each other. Phone conversations allow us to get to know each other and exactly what you are looking for in a cat/kitten. Please initally reach out via the contact form - or send an e-mail or text message to initiate dialog.
How much do your kittens cost?
The total cost of a River Valley Maine Coon kitten is $1,800.00. $300.00 is the deposit which adds you to the waiting list... $1,500.00 is due at the time of pick up. Some people make payments along the way.
Do you have a wait list?
Yes, we do have a wait list. Once you have placed a deposit with us, you are on the official wait list. When a litter is born, we will offer selection by going down the list in chronological order based on the date of deposit and the new family's preference. In other words, if you only want a female, you won't be contacted for available males.
What type of health tests do you do?
We DNA test our cats to ensure they cannot inherit the following genetic diseases: HCM, PK-Def, PKD and SMA - among several other genetic diseases. It is quite simple to test for these diseases which can then drive breeding practices with the goal of eradicating the diseases from the breed. We also check to ensure our cats are free of FIV and FeLv.
What do you feed your cats/kittens?
What and how a person feeds their cats tends to elicit strong opinions. While some are proponents of raw, others prefer dry kibble, others prefer canned. My cats and kittens always have access to Royal Canin Kitten - dry kibble. This is available to them 24/7. Nearly daily I also give them a mixture of Fancy Feast Pate mixed with milk replacer, and probiotics/prebiotics. The cats and kittens absolutely love this. The adage, "The proof is in the pudding," comes into play for RVMC cats/kittens. They are very healthy and in great condition, so I cannot see a reason to deviate. We have fed this way since 2018 with excellent results.
What can I expect regarding grooming and Maine Coons?
Grooming is another important part of providing your Maine Coon kitten or cat with excellent care. After trying many different combs and brushes, I have settled on one I absolutely love. You kitten will come to you loving his or her daily grooming sessions with this - a greyhound comb. See the image below. You can find this product on Amazon. Grooming is enjoyable for the person and kitty, so it isn't usually too difficult to keep a kitty groomed on a regular basis. However, life can get busy, so I would recommend a thorough combing once a week as a minimum. If you will do this, you will be able to avoid mats or stop them as soon as they begin to form.
Is it okay to have my River Valley Maine Coon declawed?
Definitely not - this is a cruel practice - the vet actually amputates the kitty's toes! Instead, please trim your cat or kitten's nails (they come home with all toenails trimmed). Also, provide your cat or kitten with a suitable object to sharpen his or her nails on. There are several to choose from. See the picture below for an example of what we use here at River Valley Maine Coon - it can be purchased from Chewy - it is a Frisco wall scratcher.
I would like to come visit the cats or play with my kitten - is that okay?
While we understand the desire to come see the cats and kittens - another old adage is applied - "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Since the kittens are susceptible to getting sick prior to the completion of their core vaccines, we cannot allow in-person visits. We use extreme care when we bring in a new cat, or a cat or kitten returns from show for example as these are opportunities for bacteria/viruses/fungi to be introduced to our cats. Therefore, we are unable to accommodate in-person visits. However, we are very happy to send pictures and even videos of your kitten. In fact, we think it is an essential part of the bonding process.