The Truth About ‘Free to Good Home’ Maine Coons#

It pops up on your local Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist: a fuzzy picture of a gorgeous longhaired kitten with ear tufts. The caption reads: “Purebred Maine Coon kitten. My daughter is allergic. Free to a good home if you pick him up today.”

Your heart jumps. A free Maine Coon? It feels like winning the lottery.

I am here to be the dream crusher: Do not respond to that ad.

In the world of high-demand purebred cats, “Free to a good home” is almost always a red flag for one of three things: a scam, a backyard breeder dumping sick kittens, or a stolen pet.

Here is the dark reality of the “underground” Maine Coon market and how to protect yourself (and the cats).

The Three Scenarios#

1. The “Deposit” Scam (The most common)#

You message the seller. They say, “Oh, wow, I have 50 people interested. I want him to go to you, though. Can you Venmo me a $50 ‘holding fee’ to prove you’re serious? I’ll give you my address after.”

You send the $50. They block you. The kitten never existed. The photo was stolen from a legitimate breeder’s Instagram.

The Rule: Never, ever send money digitally to someone you haven’t met in person, for an animal you haven’t seen.

2. The “Backyard Dump”#

A unethical “backyard breeder” (BYB) has a litter that isn’t selling, or perhaps the kittens are getting sick (upper respiratory infections, ringworm, fleas). They don’t want to pay for vet care. They just want them gone.

You pick up the “free” kitten in a Walmart parking lot. By the next day, the kitten is lethargic, snotty, and has diarrhea. You rush to the emergency vet. Your “free” kitten just cost you $1,500 in emergency care for panleukopenia or severe parasites.

Furthermore, by taking that kitten, you just helped that BYB clear space to breed their abused female cat again.

3. The Stolen or “Flipped” Pet#

Sadly, people steal valuable pets. Or, they see a “free” cat on Craigslist, pick it up, and then immediately list it for $300 as a “Maine Coon Mix” to make a quick profit. This is called “pet flipping.”

When you respond to these ads, you might be unknowingly buying someone’s stolen heart cat.

When is Rehoming Legitimate?#

Sometimes, life truly happens. An owner gets terminal cancer or has to move to a nursing home.

A legitimate rehoming situation looks like this:

1. They ask for a rehoming fee. This is not greed; it is safety. A small fee (e.g., $50-$100) deters dogfighters looking for bait animals and pet flippers.
2. They want to know about YOU. A person who loves their cat will grill you. They will ask about your vet, your other pets, and your housing. If they just want to hand the cat over in a parking lot, they don’t care about the cat.
3. They have vet records. A loved pet comes with a folder of vaccination history and spay/neuter certificates.

What Should You Do Instead?#

If you cannot afford a $3,000 kitten from an ethical breeder (see our Price Guide), please go to a shelter or a breed-specific rescue (as detailed in our Rescue Guide).

You will pay an adoption fee, but that fee covers spay/neuter, vaccines, and a health check. You are supporting a system of care, not a system of exploitation.

Conclusion#

If something seems too good to be true, it is. There is no such thing as a free Maine Coon. You will pay with your wallet (to a scammer or a vet) or with your ethics. Keep your heart safe and your wallet closed when browsing online classifieds.

References#

1. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Pet Scams: What to Know.
2. The Humane Society of the United States. Avoiding Puppy (and Kitten) Mills.
3. TICA. Finding a Reputable Breeder vs. a Scammer.