Hi, the person who purchased this cat as a kitten has to leave the country and has offered it to me for a price. I have no idea what is fair? Does anyone have experience with this? What is a fair price for an older Maine Coon?
I second all of this.The price depends on a number of factors. But before I start asking those questions, you need to have the current owner check his/her contract. Many breeders include a clause in the contract that if the buyer cannot or does not want to keep the cat it must be returned to the breeder, not sold or given to someone else.
So now the questions.
Is she registered with one of the cat associations (CFA, TICA, etc.)?
Was she originally sold as pet quality or show quality?
Does she have any medical issues that will require ongoing vet care/expenses?
Prices can vary widely, partly depending on the cat's background and partly on the part of the country/world where she is being sold.
Here is another photo, she looks full Maine Coon to me and even makes that adorable chirp and trill sound that Maine Coons make.337139[/ATTACH]
Strictly indoor cat, bonded to her owner, but because the owner is a college student she has had the opportunity to bond with many other people and pets. She is well socialized. She has full paperwork with breeder information blacked out.I'm not an expert in Maine Coon cats but I have a little bit of life experience in a similar area that might help us get a start on things.
(My father was a dog breeder.)
First question: Is it a pet cat, a show cat or a breeding cat?
Pet cats are likely to be the least expensive, breeding cats might be the most expensive and show cats would probably be somewhere in between.
Pets, I would guess, should cost a couple-few hundred dollars and breeders might cost a couple thousand.
What else do you know? Does she have pedigree papers?
Since she's spayed, she's definitely not for breeding. Probably a pet.
Second question: What did the original owner pay?
That would give you a starting point to bargain from.
How does she behave? Most Maine Coons have good personalities but if she has behavior issues, you can ask for a lower price. If she's well behaved, that would be the sign of good upbringing and should merit more.
I don't know what else to ask... Does she have medical issues? Is she strongly bonded to a certain human? Is she a picky eater? Is she strictly an indoor cat or indoor/outdoor?
How well do you like her that might make her worth more to you?
Thank you, I have been reading up on how to acclimate an older cat to a new home and I’m sure I will have lots of questions.N Niki5sims The price seems very reasonable. If you went to a shelter or rescue you would wind up paying around $100 when all was said and done to adopt a cat, depending on what part of the country you are in. That's what we paid for our domestic cat through a rescue.
So to me, for a purebred cat, it does not sound outlandish at all. If you can afford it, and love the cat and feel comfortable with all the background info, it sounds like you have a new fur friend coming
And we here certainly can help you through any challenges you may come up against acclimating her to your home, food, behavior, health etc. She's quite lovely in appearance, looks like she could use being groomed though.
Do Maine Coons go to a groomer ? I didn’t think of that? I have a groomer for my Cockapoo but I don’t think the cat would be emotionally ready to deal with that experience for a couple of months. I have a kit and the current owner has clipped her nails and brushed her but I don’t think she has been to a groomer. The photos I posted were taken this week.Thank you, I have been reading up on how to acclimate an older cat to a new home and I’m sure I will have lots of questions.
She does come with a months worth of quality food, toys, quality litter a carrier, brushes, nail clippers and her blanket. I just need to get a litter box and a cat tree.The price is reasonable even for a well-cared-for moggie; spays/vaccines/etc. are expensive. And if she comes with supplies that's especially reasonable.
I am a bit concerned about the breeder's info being blacked out. There's no reason for that. The current owner's personal info could be blacked out, but they should be willing to tell you who the breeder is. That makes it seem a bit shady.
Also be sure to follow all the usual buying safety protocols. Don't send a wire, don't exchange money until they hand you the cat, don't meet up alone, etc.
The owner will bring her to my home with everything before payment and stay a little while so the cat can interact with me in my home before the owner leaves. I thought that would be important for the cat so that she would feel more like she was moved to be with me rather than my taking her away from her owner?She does come with a months worth of quality food, toys, quality litter a carrier, brushes, nail clippers and her blanket. I just need to get a litter box and a cat tree.
Nope you can do it yourself for sure as long as she tolerates it. Most cats do, but some don't. Our domestic girl literally drools when we comb her out. Our Maine Coon, ummm, HATES it but we have finally come to an understanding on it after many months and the story is way too long and off topic to get into here.Do Maine Coons go to a groomer ? I didn’t think of that? I have a groomer for my Cockapoo but I don’t think the cat would be emotionally ready to deal with that experience for a couple of months. I have a kit and the current owner has clipped her nails and brushed her but I don’t think she has been to a groomer. The photos I posted were taken this week.
Do not let her bring the cat to your house if possible. Meet in a neutral, public place for the hand off.The owner will bring her to my home with everything before payment and stay a little while so the cat can interact with me in my home before the owner leaves. I thought that would be important for the cat so that she would feel more like she was moved to be with me rather than my taking her away from her owner?
Thank you!Strictly indoor cat, bonded to her owner, but because the owner is a college student she has had the opportunity to bond with many other people and pets. She is well socialized. She has full paperwork with breeder information blacked out.