How to adopt
Not everyone gets to own a Catty Shack Maine Coon.
And not every Catty Shack Maine Coon is a fit for every home.
We take both seriously.
This isn’t just about protecting our cats—it’s about protecting you, too. Because we’re not here to push kittens. We’re here to make matches that last.
Every kitten has a different temperament. Every home has its own rhythm.
Our job is to make sure they align—so you’re not just getting a beautiful cat, you’re getting the right one.
Step 1: Apply Anytime
This is your first step in helping us get to know you—not just your name and address, but the kind of life you're building and the role you hope your Maine Coon will play in it.
Are you dreaming of a chill lap cat to curl up with while you watch TV? A bold explorer to leash train for adventures? A bonded pair to grow up with your kids?
Your answers help us guide you toward the perfect match—because we don’t just want to send home a kitten. We want to send home your kitten.
Step 2: Let’s Start the Conversation
Once we receive your application, we’ll personally reach out to schedule a conversation that's not an interview or a sales call but a real conversation.
Because choosing a Maine Coon—especially one that may be with your family for 15+ years—isn’t something we believe should feel rushed or transactional.
This is where we get to know you.
Your lifestyle. Your family dynamic. Your hopes for your future companion.
Are you dreaming of a laid-back lap cat who wants to binge Netflix beside you? A confident adventure buddy? A kitten who will thrive with kids and other pets? Maybe you’re planning ahead for a future breeding program or hoping for a very specific temperament.
We want to hear the vision.
And we want to help you think through things you may not even know to consider yet.
Why We Start With a Call
Most breeders simply post available kittens and wait for deposits. That’s not how we do things.
We believe the best matches happen through planning, education, and relationship—not pressure or impulse decisions.
Our call gives us the opportunity to:
✔ Learn what matters most to you in a future companion
✔ Talk through personality preferences, energy levels, and household fit
✔ Discuss timing, upcoming litters, and realistic expectations
✔ Answer questions about health, nutrition, grooming, and Maine Coon ownership
✔ Help you determine whether one kitten—or a bonded pair—may be the best fit
Because sometimes the kitten you think you want isn’t actually the kitten who will thrive best in your home. And sometimes the kitten you never expected ends up becoming your soul cat.
A High-Touch, Thoughtful Experience
At Catty Shack, we intentionally keep the process personal. We don’t believe in handing you a price list and asking you to pick from photos. We live with these kittens from birth. We know their personalities, quirks, confidence levels, cuddle preferences, and social dynamics.
That means when the time comes, we can help guide you toward the right kitten—not just the available one. Because this isn’t just about bringing home a beautiful cat.
It’s about bringing home the right companion for your life.
What Happens Next?
After our conversation, if it feels like a great fit, we’ll guide you through next steps, upcoming litter timing, reservation opportunities, and what to expect throughout the journey.
Our goal is simple:
For you to feel informed, excited, and fully supported—from application to go-home day (and long after).
Step 3: Reserve Your Spot
From the moment a litter arrives, the journey begins. You’ll meet the kittens from birth through updates, photos, videos, and ongoing conversations with us about personality, development, and what we’re seeing as they grow.
By this point, we’ve likely already spent time discussing your vision for your future companion:
The laid-back lap cat. The playful family sidekick. The confident explorer.
The kitten who fits beautifully into your lifestyle, energy, and home.
And because we’re raising these kittens every single day, we’re learning who they are, too.
Why Reservations Open at 8 Weeks
While you’ll meet and follow the litter from the beginning, we intentionally wait until around 8 weeks of age to finalize reservations.
Why?
Because before anyone signs a contract or officially commits to a kitten, we want to ensure they’re receiving the healthy, well-started companion we promised. At this stage, kittens have completed their veterinary wellness exams, developmental milestones are clearer, and personalities have become much more established. That means when it’s time to make your final choice, you’re choosing with confidence—not uncertainty.
Because we believe reserving a kitten should feel exciting and informed… Not rushed or risky.
A Thoughtful Matching Process
This isn’t “first come, first served.” And it’s definitely not a race to claim the cutest kitten. It’s a thoughtful, guided process designed around finding the right fit.
By 8 weeks, our hope is that you already feel deeply connected to the litter and confident in the direction we’ve been planning together.
Once reservations open, families finalize their kitten choice with guidance from us based on temperament, lifestyle compatibility, personality, and yes—the look you’ve been dreaming of, too.
(Because let’s be honest… color matters a little 😌)
We believe the best matches happen when personality and preference align.
Reserving Your Kitten
Once your kitten is selected: 50% of the total balance is due to reserve your kitten at 8 weeks, along with your signed contract. The remaining balance is due one week prior to go-home day.
This structure gives families time to prepare while also ensuring every kitten is reserved thoughtfully and intentionally.
What If My Match Isn’t in This Litter?
No pressure. No settling. If the right fit isn’t here yet, we simply continue planning together for a future litter. Because we never want families choosing a kitten simply because one is available.
The right kitten is worth waiting for.
The Goal? Confidence.
By the time reservation day arrives, we don’t want you feeling like you’re choosing between strangers. We want it to feel like confirmation. Like saying yes to the kitten you’ve already been getting to know—and thoughtfully planning for all along.
Pricing with Purpose
At Catty Shack, we’re transparent from the beginning so you always know what to expect.
Pet Kitten Pricing
Standard Toe Kittens
Male & Female: $3,500
Polydactyl (Extra Toe) Kittens
Female: $4,500
Male: $5,500
Pricing is determined based on traits such as polydactyl (extra toes), gender, and occasionally rare or highly sought-after characteristics within a pairing.
You’ll always know individual kitten pricing before reservations open and before any payment is due.
Just clear communication and thoughtful planning.