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 a little bit of 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 our kittens cost between $2000 and $5000 quite frankly anything less is not even covering 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 good quality Maine Coon with Breeding Rights.  Then comes the Genetic Testing. We test for HCM a Fatal Heart Condition.  We test for SMA, Spinal Muscular Atrophy specific to Maine Coon Cats.  We test for PK Deficiency. Also known as Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency. A known blood disorder in Maine Coon Cats.  We also test our cats for PKD, otherwise known as Polycystic kidney disease. A disease that can cause kidney failure. We don't want to pass this on to our kittens.  These test 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 the money spent. Now that's all just the beginning. Once the female queen is pregnant. Guess what?  The expenses don't stop. They have Vet Visits. Sometimes X-Rays. These aren'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 have had emergency c sections which can cost $2500 or more.  Plus you 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  two years genetic health guarantee on our kittens.  You will not see a back yard 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 back yard breeder but this is why you don't want to deal with a back yard 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 your 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 back yard 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 your here because your 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 prices which means breeding is even more expensive.  Shipping cats alone has doubled in prices. 
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There is a whole lot more that goes on around here 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.