The Catty Shack Adoption Journey
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
Every Catty Shack journey begins with getting to know each other. Our application isn't a test, and there are no "perfect" answers. It's simply the first step in helping us understand your family, your lifestyle, and the kind of relationship you hope to have with your future Maine Coon.
Are you dreaming of a confident adventure buddy? A laid-back lap cat? A playful kitten for your children? A bonded pair to grow up together?
These conversations matter because we don't believe choosing a kitten should be based on a photo alone.
We believe it should be based on personality, lifestyle, and long-term compatibility.
By the time reservations open, we've already built relationships with the families hoping to welcome them home.
The better we know you, the better we can help guide you toward the right kitten...not just the available one.
Pricing with Purpose
At Catty Shack, we believe trust starts with transparency. Our pricing is published upfront so you'll always know what to expect—no surprises, no hidden fees, and no bidding based on demand.
2026 Pet Kitten Pricing
Standard Toe Kittens
Female & Male : $3,500
Polydactyl (Extra Toe) Kittens
Female: $4,500
Male: $5,500
Looking Ahead to 2027
As our breeding program continues to grow, we'll be making one planned pricing adjustment beginning January 1, 2027.
Standard Toe Kittens will increase to $4,000.
Families who submit an application by December 31, 2026 will be grandfathered into our current pricing, regardless of when their kitten is born.
Our goal has always been to build a sustainable breeding program while remaining accessible to families looking for an exceptional Maine Coon companion. Individual kitten pricing is always confirmed before reservations open, so you'll know exactly what to expect before making any commitment.
Applications Currently Open
We intentionally accept a limited number of applications for each planned pairing.
Rather than building an unlimited waitlist, we only accept enough approved applicants to reasonably match the number of kittens we anticipate welcoming. This allows us to build genuine relationships with our families while keeping the adoption process thoughtful and personal.
Currently Accepting Applications
🧡 Millie × Jagger (limited polydactyl availability)
Once we've reached capacity for a planned pairing, applications for that litter will close until the next planning cycle.
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Planning Further Ahead?
Our Spring/Summer 2027 pairings will be announced in January 2027.
Families are always welcome to apply when new pairings are announced, and early applicants have the opportunity to begin getting to know us well before reservations ever open.
If the timing isn't right today, don't worry...there will always be another journey waiting around the corner.
A Different Kind of Waitlist
Most waitlists collect names.
​We get to know people.
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That's why we intentionally close applications once we've accepted enough approved families for a planned pairing.
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Because we'd rather know twenty families well than two hundred families barely at all.
Step 2: We Review Your Application & Start Planning
Unlike automated waitlists, we read every application individually because we're looking for more than availability...we're looking for the right fit.
You'll typically hear from us within one week to confirm we've received your application and to begin planning together.
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What Happens Next?
✔️ We review your application
✔️ We confirm we've received it
✔️ We discuss which upcoming pairing(s) may be the best fit
✔️ We give you expected timeframes for when we will reach out to you to schedule your call
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What This Stage Is (and Isn't)
This stage is about planning—not promising kittens. Breeding has an unpredictable timeline. Pairings don't always result in pregnancies, litter sizes vary, and Mother Nature occasionally has different plans than we do.
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Rather than making promises we can't keep, we'd rather set honest expectations from the very beginning.
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So When Do We Schedule Your Call?
We wait until we have real kittens to plan around- not just possibilities.
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Once a queen you've applied for has a confirmed pregnancy and reaches approximately Day 55, we perform a kitten-count X-ray. This gives us a much better estimate of how many kittens we're expecting and how many approved families we can realistically begin moving forward with.
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That's when we begin scheduling our Get-to-Know-You calls.
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Your Get-to-Know-You Call
This isn't an interview. It isn't a sales call. It's simply a conversation.
Together we'll:
âś” Learn what you're hoping for in a companion
âś” Talk through personality, energy level, and household dynamics
âś” Discuss the upcoming litter and realistic expectations
âś” Answer your questions about our program and Maine Coon ownership
âś” Begin thinking about which kitten may thrive in your home
Even then, we're still not assigning kittens...we're simply getting to know one another.
Step 3: The Litter Arrives & Observation Begins
Once the kittens are safely here, we know how many healthy kittens we actually have.
This is when we finalize which applications will be included in that litter's observation group.
Families invited into 8 Week Observation are asked to reserve their place with a non-refundable $250 Observation Commitment Fee, which is credited toward the purchase price of your kitten.
Because observation spots are intentionally limited, this fee helps ensure each place is reserved for families who are ready to move forward if the right kitten is available, while preventing other applicants from missing an opportunity unnecessarily.
We intentionally don't accept more observation families than we reasonably expect to have kittens available for. If we aren't able to include your application in that litter, we'll talk with you about another upcoming pairing rather than leaving you wondering where you stand.
From there, the fun part begins.
For approximately the first eight weeks, we raise, socialize, desensitize, and—most importantly—get to know these kittens.
We watch confidence develop. We see who seeks people out, who wants to explore everything, who prefers a quieter environment, who loves being held, who needs more independence, and how each kitten responds to new experiences.
That's when true collaboration becomes possible—because now we have actual kittens and actual personalities to talk about.
Why We Don't Match Earlier
We could let families choose kittens from newborn photos.
We just don't think that tells you very much about the companion you'll be living with for the next 15+ years.
Our process intentionally moves from:
Application → Preliminary Litter Planning → Pregnancy → Day 55 X-ray → Get-to-Know-You Call → Birth → Observation Commitment→ 8 week Observation→ Matching
There are checkpoints along the way because breeding is inherently unpredictable.
Our goal isn't to make the process fast. It's to keep you informed about where you stand, set realistic expectations as things change, and only begin making decisions when we actually have enough information to make them thoughtfully.
What to Expect During Observation
Being selected for a litter's observation group isn't simply about waiting eight weeks to choose a kitten. You're coming along for the journey with us.
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Throughout the observation period, you'll get to know the litter as we do. We'll share their growth, developing personalities, milestones, and the little differences we begin noticing as each kitten becomes more distinctly themselves.
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But we're also preparing you.
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Rather than handing you a kitten at go-home with an overwhelming list of instructions, we use these weeks to gradually teach you what you'll need to know to confidently take over their care.
We'll talk about things like nutrition, grooming, litter habits, nail care, introductions, your home setup, continued socialization, and what to expect during those first days and weeks together.
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We don't believe go-home preparation should feel like drinking from a firehose.
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By the time your kitten comes home, our goal is for you to already understand how they've been raised, what they're accustomed to, how to continue the foundation we've built, and what they need from you next.
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And while you'll get to know the kittens along the way, we're still observing too.
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We're learning who they are as individuals so that when it's time to discuss matching, we're not making decisions based on a photograph or a first impression. We're able to have a much more meaningful conversation about which kitten may actually thrive in your home.
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Step 4: Your Match → Welcome Home đź–¤
At approximately 8 weeks, we'll begin making our kitten matches based on everything we've learned about our kittens and our families during observation.
Once you've been paired and are ready to move forward, your kitten is officially reserved. Your final contract is completed and 50% of the purchase price is due at this time.
From there, we shift our focus toward preparing both you and your kitten for life together. Your kitten will continue growing, learning, socializing, and receiving veterinary care with us until go-home at approximately 12–14 weeks.
We'll guide you through everything you need to know along the way, providing information and resources when they're actually relevant instead of overwhelming you all at once.
Your remaining balance is due one week before go-home.
And once your kitten is home, you're not on your own. Our support continues after go-home, so you'll always have us as a resource as your kitten settles in and grows.
Once you're selected for observation, we'll provide much more detailed information about each stage—so you always know what comes next without having to figure it out on your own.