Breeding expense

Breeding Expense

Hello, everyone showing interest in my beautiful babies. I've had a few people stating that they just want a pet. They sometimes don't even care if their pet has papers. They think anything over $400 is way too much money. I want to give some education on what it takes to be a good, ethical breeder and the expenses we incur to have beautiful little Maine Coon Kittens. People get shocked when they hear that our kittens cost between $2000 and $5000 quite frankly anything less does not even cover the expenses we incur. Also, we are breeding Euroline Maine Coons and not Americanline Maine Coons. Our Queens and Studs are imported.   
  
The following is why we charge what we do.  
Breeders pay double this amount for a quality Maine Coon with Breeding Rights. Then comes Genetic Testing. We test for HCM a Fatal Heart Condition. We test for SMA, Spinal Muscular Atrophy specific to Maine Coons. We test for PK Deficiency (Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency). A known blood disorder in Maine Coons. We also test our cats for PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease). A disease that can cause kidney failure. We don't want to pass this on to our kittens. These tests aren't cheap.  We have to test both males and females to make sure they are free and clear of these genetic defects. If any cat doesn't pass with flying colors guess what happens? They get Spayed/Neutered. We never recoup that cost.   
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Now that's all just the beginning. Once the female queen is pregnant. Guess what? The expenses don't stop. They have vet visits which sometimes require X-Rays, that isn’t free. Then the day comes, and we have kittens. We could only have 1 or 2 kittens and we never make enough to cover what we have spent, or it could be 6 healthy kittens. The expenses still don't stop at this point. Good breeders pay for shots on your new kittens. I've also had emergency C-Sections which can cost $2500 or more. Plus, you have got to include high-quality cat food, litter, housing, breeding equipment, other emergencies, etc. We had to build a special building for our Stud breeders because once they hit puberty they spray. It's such a strong odor you do not want that all over your house. Also, I include a two-year genetic health guarantee on all our kittens. You will not see a backyard breeder give you anything close to that. Plus, you have to consider federal, state, and sales tax that has to be turned in.  
Yes, you can find kittens for a lot less with a backyard breeder, but this is why you don't want to deal with that kind of breeder. They may sell their kittens between $400 and $800, but they don't test their Breeding Cats and most of the time they don't even work with Pure Breed Maine Coons. You are purchasing a highly inflated cat that is a mix-breed. I encourage everyone looking for a quality cat to do their homework. Make sure your breeder is doing all they can to bring you a healthy pure breed kitten. A good breeder makes even less than these backyard breeders do in the grand scheme of things. Remember you get what you pay for!! Pay for something nice!!! If you still feel that way, then you are honestly looking in the wrong places. Shelters have plenty of babies needing homes too!! If you're here because you're thinking, we breeders are making Bank and you just have to have a Breeding Pair so that you can too. What are your plans? Are you planning to be an ethical Breeder, or are you planning to be a Back Yard Breeder?  
  
With inflation, everything has gone up in price which means breeding is even more expensive. Shipping cats alone has doubled in price.   
   
There is a whole lot more that goes on around here that I have not stated like. It's a 24/7 job which can also be very emotional as well. We love this breed and take pride in what we do.