How to Adopt a Maine Coon Cat


Maine Coon Cats make lovely companions for people of all ages. They have long, silky hair and large, bright eyes. They are sweet tempered and loving, among the smartest of breeds, and would make a great addition to any home. However, before searching out breeders and purchasing a kitten, consider adopting a Maine Coon Cat who might not have anywhere else to go. Adopting a Maine Coon Cat, either an adult or a kitten, can be an enjoyable experience, but it important to know something about the breed first.

Maine Coon Cats are a naturally occurring breed whose origins are shrouded in mystery. However, in its modern incarnation, it can be considered to be a native of the state of Maine in the United States. There are some who believe that the Maine Coon Cat is a cross between raccoons and the cats first brought to Maine by European settlers, but this belief is entirely mistaken. Another common belief is that Maine Coon Cats come in only brown, and no other colors. In truth, there are many color variations available, each just as lovely as the next. If you are considering adopting a Maine Coon Cat, be aware that a variation in color does not mean that the cat in question isn't a Maine Coon Cat.

Since these cats are considered to be the largest of the domestic cats, a prospective owner of one of these beauties should expect that a Maine Coon Cat will stand quite tall compared to other domestic breeds. Their long coat will mat if they are totally neglected, but it does remain generally mat-free with minimal effort. A quick brushing once or twice a week is sufficient for most Maine Coon Cats. Their beautiful tails form a plume, and the ears are tufted and unique. Any cat without a full and lush tail may have been the victim of neglect or abuse. However, it is important to realize that kittens sometimes lack a full coat, as it can take up to three years for these cats to reach maturity.

There are Maine Coon rescue organizations all over the world, most notably in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. These can sometimes be found in your local paper, but are easier to locate with a quick internet search. Visit these rescue orgnanizations before you adopt a cat or kitten, and if you have to travel with your new companion, ensure you are complying with all regulations. Importing a cat into another country can be especially problematic, so check everything out before you attempt to board a plane wth your new friend, or you might find your cat thrown into quarantine or even confiscated.

Consider consulting Maine Coon Adoptions, which is a division of Preventing Euthanasia Through Rescue (PET Rescue). They specialize in the adoption of Maine Coon Cats, and have assisted many people in the purchase of their new best friend. Some cats here have registration papers, some do not, but they would all make loving companions. Though they do not ship their cats out of the state of California, they can provide much needed information for those wishing to adopt a Maine Coon Cat.

You can also check out your local animal shelter, but be wary and know what you’re looking for. Many animal shelters will label any large tabby as a Maine Coon Cat with no reason to do so. In fact, a Maine Coon Cat can be of many colors, including solids, tabbies, and particolors. Most shelter employees do not know the difference between any large cat and a Maine Coon, so check each cat out carefully before you consider adopting one which may not be a Maine Coon Cat.

Sometimes, breeders will have older cats or kittens that can be adopted at a reduced cost. Usually, these are cats who are too old to breed or kittens that have been returned for a variety of reasons. Regardless of where you find the Maine Coon Cat, you will want to ask many questions regarding its past, and certainly ask why that particular cat was returned to the breeder or brought to the adoption agency. The answers to these questions might influence your decision to adopt, and will certainly prove useful in getting to know your new family member.

When you do eventually find the right Maine Coon Cat for you, you’ll need to take it home. The cat should be transported in a carrier large enough for it to turn around and stand up. Purely for safety reasons. It’s never a good idea to transport a new cat, regardless of breed, without a carrier, because you simply do not know how the cat will react to the car. Remember that Maine Coon Cats are larger than other breeds, and so generally require a carrier designed for dogs, as cat carriers tend to be too small for Maine Coon Cats.

Once home, you should introduce the cat to its new surroundings gradually, as Maine Coon Cats can be rather shy. However, with a little patience, you will find that your new family member can bring you years of joy and happiness.

Cat Breed Facts: American Wirehair


The American Wirehair grew out of a spontaneous mutation. This unique breed has a vastly different coat than any other type of cat. Every hair is crimped, coiled, and springy, even the whiskers. These cats, related to the American Shorthair, make delightful companions.

The Development of the American Wirehair

In 1966, a litter of kittens was born in Verona, New York. One of these kittens, a red-and-white male, had sparse, wiry hair. This kitten, named Adam, was bred to a calico cat. This mating produced four kittens, two of which were wirehaired females.

This wirehaired coat was tested to determine if it was related to either of the Rex mutations. It was discovered that all three types of hairs — down, awn, and guard — were twisted, and the awn hairs were hooked at the tip. This was unlike either the Cornish or Devon Rex. Eventually, a great variance among Wirehaired coats developed. Some were sparse, some close lying and tight. However, the most desirable Wirehaired coat was thick and springy. This is still true today.

The breed was accepted into the CFA for registration in 1967. In 1978, the first American Wirehair achieved championship status. Though closely related to the American Shorthair, from which the original coat mutation sprang, American Wirehairs are registered as a separate and distinct breed. The American Shorthair is still an allowable outcross breed for the American Wirehair.

The wirehair mutation is a dominant gene. However, it is entirely possible to breed a Wirehair to a Wirehair and end up with a litter of all straight-coated kittens. This can be disheartening to the novice breeder, and all breeders of American Wirehairs must be prepared for this eventuality.

Some Breed Standards for the American Wirehair

The standards for the American Wirehair, as with many other breeds, are quite strict. It is quite easy to have a cat that is penalized or even disqualified, so those picking a show or breeding kitten should do so with care.

General: The American Wirehair is the result of a spontaneous mutation. The coat is springy, dense, and resilient, and also hard and coarse to the touch. These cats are agile and have a keen interest in their surroundings.

Head: The head should be in proportion to the body, and the underlying bone structure should be round with a well-developed muzzle and chin. A slight whisker break is allowed.

Ears: Medium sized and slightly rounded at the tips. The ears should be set wide and not unduly open at the base.

Eyes: Should be medium to large, bright, and clear. The eyes should be set well apart.

Body: The American Wirehair should have a medium to large body, with males larger than females. The torso should be well rounded and in proportion. Legs should be well muscled, paws should be oval and compact.

Tail: The tail of the American Wirehair should be in proportion to the body. It should be slightly tapering, but neither blunt nor pointed.

Coat: The coat of the American Wirehair is springy, tight, and medium in length. Each hair should be crimped, hooked, or bent in some fashion, including the hair inside the ears. The overall appearance of the coat is more important than the crimping of each individual hair. The most desirable coat is dense, resilient, crimped, and very coarse.

Penalties: Any cat displaying a deep nose break or long and fluffy fur will be assessed a penalty.

Disqualifications: The most common reason for disqualification for American Wirehairs is an incorrect coat. Also, a kinked or abnormal tail, the incorrect number of toes, or any evidence of hybridization will result in a cat being disqualified from competition.

The American Wirehair is a unique and loving breed. It is also one of the few breeds that is truly native to North America. Its sweet and open disposition makes it a wonderful pet for any cat-lover.

Cats and Spider Bites: The Black Widow Spider Bite

Anyone who knows me knows that my cat Magick gets himself into a lot of trouble. This past summer was no exception. He stuck his head into the BBQ and has no whiskers (and is missing a fair bit of hair). He fell off the roof and fractured a couple ribs (no, he hasn't figured out how to land on all fours). And he got himself bit by a black widow spider.

Black widows are black spiders with a red hourglass on the belly ranging from 1/2 inch to 1 inch long. They tend to like the warmer areas of North America, but they can be found as far north as Canada (unfortunately, at least for my poor Magick). They like to make their homes in dark crevice-like holes such as woodpiles, which is where Magick found one. They are not aggressive, but they will bite when threatened, or when an unsuspecting cat steps into a nest. As a result, a cat is more likely to be bitted on the leg than anywhere else. And the black widow spider has a poisonous bite.

So, what do you do if your cat has been bitten by a black widow spider? To start with, don't think you can treat it yourself. Keep the cat quiet and calm and head to your veterinarian immediately. Do not place a tourniquet above the bite. Doing this will not prevent the vemon from spreading and you may cut off necessary circulation to the affected area.

There is currently no blood test to detect the venom of the black widow spider, so your vet will make an assessment based on symptoms. Some of the signs to look for will include:

• Extreme pain in the area around the bite
• Nausea or vomitting
• Swelling in the affected area
• Muscule tremors
• Rigid muscles
• Paralysis
• Spasms
• Difficulty breathing

The bite of a black widow can kill, usually by paralysing the muscles that control your cat's ability to breathe. Luckily, your vet can administer medication that can relax the muscles and allow the cat to breathe, just as my own vet did for Magick. Your vet may also want to give your cat IV fluids and keep him or her for observation. While there is an antidote available for humans, it is very expensive, so expensive that most people cannot afford to have their vet obtain a dose suitable for a cat.

I was lucky. Magick survived his bite, though a full recovery took quite some time. Many cats do not fare so well, even with treatment. Their small size makes them more likely to die from a black widow bite than a large dog.

Your best bet is to prevent a bite in the first place. Examine your yard for any evidence of black widow spiders. If you find any, hire an exterminator to eliminate them. You can take care of the problem yourself, but be careful. Remember that black widow vemon is toxic to humans as well.

Cat Breed Facts: American Shorthair

The American Shorthair is a breed with a somewhat shaded past. Though not always treated kindly in cat championships, this breed has been used to make valuable contributions to many other popular breeds, including the Colorpoint Shorthair and the Bombay. With its gentle temperament and sweet disposition, this cat makes a wonderful companion to many people throughout the world.

Shorthaired cats arrived in North American with settlers as early as the 1600s. By the 1900s, domestic cats had begun to attract some attention, but this was minimal, and was more directed toward the Maine Coon Cat and other exotic breeds. Given the lack of interest in the domestic cat, it is not surprising that the first of the breed to be registered in the United States was from Great Britain. This cat, an orange tabby male, was imported into the US in 1901.

The orange tabby was registered simply as a ‘Shorthair’. Sometime later, when American-born cats were incorporated into the breeding programs, the term ‘Domestic’ was added to the breed’s designation. For many years there were few requirements for registering Domestic Shorthairs. Many times, these cats were simply household pets. Once breeders began to realize that they could develop unusual colors and patterns by selective breeding, they became more careful with their breeding programs.

In 1966, breeders voted to change the breed’s name to American Shorthair, and soon after, with two different silver tabbies earning titles and awards, the breed achieved the respect and status it had thus far been denied. Since then, the open registration of the American Shorthair has been an on-again-off-again practice. This means that at certain points in time, a person can register any shorthair cat as an American Shorthair. Breeders often use this as an opportunity to introduce new colors and patters, or to add to the vigor of the breed. Usually, this comes from street cats or farm cats with exceptional qualities.

Other breeders will cross American Shorthairs with Persians or Burmese to add substance to the body of the American Shorthair. It is almost certain that were it not for outcrosses with chinchilla Persians, the silver tabbies that are so acclaimed by cat fanciers would not exist today. However, outcrossing is still frowned upon my most associations, so most breeders who follow this practice do not advertise this fact.

American Shorthairs contribute to other breeds as well. They have been used to introduce new colors into the Colorpoint Shorthair and Persians or to add vigor to the Burmese. Crosses between American Shorthairs and Persians resulted in the Exotic Shorthair. They were the foundation of the Ocicat, Snowshoe, and Scottish Fold. Their adaptability, strength, and vigor, has kept then as an allowable outcross for the American Wirehair, Bombay, and Scottish Fold.

Some Breed Standards for the American Shorthair

The standards for the American Shorthair in shows are not quite as strict as with some other breeds. However, it is still not too difficult to have a cat that is penalized or even disqualified, so those picking a show or breeding kitten should do so with care.

General: No part of the body should be exaggerated enough to foster weakness. The American Shorthair should be strongly built, well balanced, and symmetrical, with power, endurance, and agility.

Head: The head should be large, full-cheeked, and have a sweet and open expression. Viewed from the front, there should be no dome between the ears.

Ears: Medium sized and slightly rounded at the tips. The distance between the ears should be twice the distance between the eyes.

Eyes: Should be medium to large with at least the width of one eye between the eyes. Eyes should be bright, clear, and alert. Acceptable eye colors are dependant upon coat color and pattern.

Body: The American Shorthair should have a sturdy, solidly built, powerful, and muscular body with well-developed shoulders, chest, and hindquarters. A broad back and slightly sloped profile are also desired.

Tail: Medium long and heavy at the base, it should taper to an abrupt end.

Coat: The coat of the American Shorthair should be short, thick, even and hard in texture. There is some variation in coat thickness allowed to accommodate seasonal and regional variations, but it needs to be dense enough to protect from moisture, cold, and skin injuries. Many colors and patterns are allowed in most associations.

Penalties: Any cat displaying excessive cobbiness or ranginess will be penalized. A very short tale is also ground for penalties to be assessed.

Disqualifications: If a cat appears to be a hybridization with any other breed, it will be disqualified. This includes long or fluffy fur, deep nose break, brow ridge, or bulging eye socket. Kinked or abnormal tails, or the incorrect number of toes, will also result in disqualification.

The American Shorthair is a gentle and loving breed that makes a delightful companion for many cat-lovers. Their sweet and open appearance makes then a wonderful addition to countless households around the world.