I purchased two Maine Coon kittens from this breeder for approximately $10,000. Within 36 hours, we…read morewere dealing with serious medical and behavioral problems.
Zeus developed significant medical issues almost immediately. His veterinarian found multiple abnormalities serious enough to recommend an internal medicine specialist, CT imaging, a complete ultrasound, comprehensive blood work, and additional testing. The veterinarian said the findings, taken together, pointed to a congenital abnormality as the most likely underlying cause and recommended that his littermate also be evaluated.
Thor's situation is different. His blood work was overall normal, and his X-rays did not show the abnormalities seen in Zeus. He does, however, have mild heart enlargement and mild bronchitis, with the significance of the heart finding still being reviewed.
The behavioral issues were equally disappointing. Both kittens were extremely fearful and difficult to handle--frankly, slightly south of feral. That is my description of what we experienced, but it was nowhere close to what I expected from well-socialized Maine Coon kittens.
The contract promises "a healthy, happy, well-socialized, and beautiful Maine Coon kitten" and describes Maine Coons as "friendly, curious, and highly social."
I understand that cats get sick and that no breeder can predict every medical problem. That is not the point. The problem is that these issues appeared almost immediately after we brought the kittens home.
Once Zeus's condition became apparent, my CEO contacted the breeder directly to discuss his care, the health guarantee, our financial investment, and whether she had kittens from a different lineage available. She was subsequently provided the veterinarian's report stating that Zeus had "multiple extremely serious health issues" and needed specialist evaluation and additional testing as soon as possible.
The response focused heavily on the contract and our responsibility for veterinary expenses. There is also a discrepancy regarding pet insurance: the breeder later said every kitten goes home with a free 30-day Trupanion plan and that I chose to waive it. My signed contract does not say that. It says I chose not to obtain pet insurance and accepted responsibility for veterinary expenses.
When I asked about returning the cats, I was told there would be no refund, reimbursement, credit, or repayment of the approximately $10,000 paid. The contract's Lifetime Return Policy likewise states there will be no refund.
The breeder initially wanted the deposit paid in cash. I insisted on paying by credit card. I will leave it at that rather than speculate about why.
I am not claiming the breeder knowingly sold us a genetically defective kitten. I do not have evidence to make that claim. I am saying that we bought two kittens represented as healthy and well-socialized, and almost immediately found ourselves dealing with serious medical concerns and behavior dramatically different from what we expected.
What should have been an exciting experience became an extremely stressful and expensive one almost immediately.
Anyone considering this breeder should get an independent veterinary examination immediately, ask detailed questions about health and socialization, and read the contract carefully--especially the provisions concerning veterinary expenses, insurance, the health guarantee, and returns.
That is my experience, and prospective buyers deserve to know it.
