The Maine Coon Scam Epidemic: 7 Red Flags to Watch For#
It is a story I see posted in Facebook groups almost every single day. A heartbroken person posts a screenshot of a website. They tell a story about finding the perfect kitten, sending a deposit via Zelle, and then… silence. The breeder stops replying. The website disappears. The kitten never existed.
The popularity of the Maine Coon has exploded in recent years. They are the “it” cat. And wherever there is high demand and high prices, there are predators waiting to exploit it.
I am going to be very blunt: The internet is infested with fake Maine Coon breeder websites. These are not just bad breeders; they are criminal organizations, often operating overseas, stealing photos from legitimate catteries and creating professional-looking websites to steal your money.
I want you to have your dream cat. But more importantly, I want you to protect yourself. Here is how to spot a scam before you send a single cent.
The “Too Good to Be True” Price Tag#
The first and most obvious giveaway is the price. Breeding Maine Coons is incredibly expensive. Between genetic testing for HCM and SMA, high-quality food, vet bills, and import costs for breeding stock, a legitimate breeder pours thousands into their litter before they are even born.
A healthy, purebred Maine Coon kitten from a reputable breeder typically costs between $2,000 and $4,000.
Scam sites know that people are looking for a bargain. They will list kittens for $600, $800, or even $1,000. They might claim it is a “discount” or a “Christmas Special.”
If you see a Maine Coon kitten listed for $800, it is a scam. Period. No ethical breeder can afford to sell a kitten at that price. They would be losing money on every single cat. If the price looks like a steal, the only thing being stolen is your money.
The “All Available” Inventory#
Go to a legitimate breeder’s website. You will almost always see the same thing: “Waitlist Closed” or “All Kittens Reserved.” Maine Coons are in such high demand that most kittens are sold before they are even born.
Now, look at a scam site. They will often have 10, 15, or even 20 kittens listed as “Available Now.” They will have kittens of every color—black smoke, silver tabby, calico—all ready to ship immediately.
This is impossible. No ethical breeder has 20 kittens sitting around waiting for buyers. They don’t have “inventory.” They have living creatures that they place in carefully selected homes. An abundance of immediately available kittens is a massive red flag.
The Payment Method: Zelle, CashApp, and Crypto#
This is usually the final nail in the coffin. You decide on a kitten, and they ask for payment. A legitimate business might accept a check, a bank transfer to a business account, or credit cards via a secure portal.
Scammers want untraceable, non-refundable money. They will ask you to send the deposit via Zelle, CashApp, Venmo (using the “Friends and Family” option), or even Bitcoin.
Once you send money via Zelle to a stranger, it is gone. Banks will rarely refund it because you authorized the transaction. If a “breeder” gets aggressive about needing payment right now via an app, stop communicating with them.
The “Generic” Text and Stolen Photos#
Scammers are lazy. They don’t write their own content. They copy and paste text from other websites. Read the “About Us” section. Does it sound generic? Does it say “We are a family cattery dedicated to raising the breed” but never mention the breeder’s actual name?
Legitimate breeders are proud of their cattery. They will list their name, their location, and usually tell a specific story about how they got started.
The photos are also stolen. Scammers take photos from Russian or European catteries (where the cats often have a very distinct, “feral” look) and pass them off as their own.
How to check: Save the photo of the kitten to your computer. Go to Google Images and drag the photo into the search bar. This is called a “Reverse Image Search.” You will likely find that same photo appearing on ten different websites, or on the Instagram page of a famous breeder in Poland.
The “Shipping Only” Policy#
Scammers rely on the fact that you will never see the cat in person. They will offer to ship the kitten to your door for a surprisingly low fee. They often claim they are located in a remote state, making it inconvenient for you to visit.
If you ask to visit the cattery to see the kitten, they will have a list of excuses. “Our daughter is sick,” “We are renovating,” or “Covid protocols.”
A real breeder might restrict visitors for health reasons (to protect unvacinated kittens), but they will always offer an alternative. They will offer to FaceTime with you. They will hop on a Zoom call and show you the kitten moving around in real-time.
The Golden Rule: If they refuse a video call, they do not have the cat.
Verification Checklist: Protect Yourself#
Before you send a deposit, you must act like a detective. It might feel rude to interrogate a breeder, but a legitimate breeder will appreciate your caution. They hate scammers as much as you do.
- Check the Registry: Ask if they are registered with TICA (The International Cat Association) or CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association). Then, go to the TICA/CFA website and check their breeder list. Just because a site puts a TICA logo on their homepage doesn’t mean they are members.
- Ask for a Video Call: Demand to see the kitten on live video. Ask them to say your name while holding the kitten.
- Ask for the Vet: Ask for the name and number of the veterinarian who cares for their cats. Call the vet and ask, “Does [Breeder Name] bring their cats to you?”
- Join the Community: Go to Facebook groups like “Maine Coon Cat Lovers” or “Maine Coon Scammers” and ask about the cattery. The community is tight-knit. If the breeder is real, people will vouch for them. If they are a scam, the group will know.
Conclusion#
The hunt for a Maine Coon kitten is exciting, but do not let your emotions override your logic. Scammers prey on your desire. They know you have fallen in love with that photo of the kitten with the giant ear tufts.
Take your time. Wait for a reputable breeder. Save up the money for a legitimate kitten. The pain of waiting a few months is nothing compared to the heartbreak of losing your money and realizing the kitten you loved never existed at all.
Resources & Further Reading#
- The International Cat Association (TICA). (2024). [cite_start]List of Registered Breeders. [cite: 1]
- Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA). (n.d.). [cite_start]Cattery Name Index. [cite: 1]
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC). (2023). Pet Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them.