Maine Coon Alliance Rescue Network
Join the mailing list at MCRescue@yahoogroups.com
Join MCRescue to receive notices of when cats in your area become available.
Our Petfinder website is primarily to promote our mailing list, MCRescue@yahoogroups.com. MCARN functions primarily as a network, serving to help potential adopters and cats in need find each other. The majority of cats listed on our mailing list are united with their new families, adopted from shelters or private homes, without ever entering MCARN foster care. If you are interested in adopting a Maine Coon Rescue cat, join the rescue list, and let us know what state you are in, so we can try to match you with a cat near you. We are an internet rescue group, we do not have a shelter building.
Information about the cats listed here and on our list is provided by shelters and individuals, and is not guaranteed by MCARN.
Other good ways to find a Maine Coon near you is to use Petfinders search by zip code function, check your yellow pages for animal shelters, and your newspaper under Pets.
Mixes, Lookalikes and Copycats - terms usually used to describe appearance, not pedigree.
The word "mix" is commonly used by shelters and rescue groups to describe an animal that has physical characteristics of a particular breed. The labels Collie-Mix, Poodle-mix, Labrador-mix, Siamese-mix, Persian-mix, Maine Coon-mix, all bring specific images to mind. There are a large number of cats in the general domestic cat population that do bear a similar resemblance to the Maine Coon, but this alone does not make them Maine Coons. It's often easier for shelters to find homes for their homeless pets by describing them as similar to popular purebreds. The cat may look exactly like a purebred, or only somewhat similar. As there is usually no way of knowing how much if any of a "breed" the shelter animal may have in it's heritage, the term mix is used to describe appearance rather than pedigree. Although a mix may strongly resemble a purebred, it may not have the health or personality of one. It is always possible that a cat listed as a "mix" or "DLH" may indeed be a Maine Coon, but you can't automatically assume it. There are occasions when one of the parents is a known purebred, you need to ask questions to establish what is actually known about a "mix's" background and temperament.
DLH and DSH
DLH and DSH are abbreviations meaning Domestic Long Hair and Domestic Short Hair. Many shelter volunteers and veterinarians are not experienced in identifying the many different breeds, and many random-bred cats have features resembling more than one particular breed. DLH and DSH are very general "generic" terms, and may be used whenever the shelter is not sure how to describe the animal, or if the animal clearly resembles no specific breed.
How to Identify a Maine Coon
Maine Coons are medium or large cats with big ears, broad chest, substantial boning, a long, hard muscled, rectangular body and a long flowing tail. They come in every color and pattern except pointed (like a Siamese). Females are proportionally smaller than males and can weigh 4 to 5 pounds less.. Mature males can have larger, broader heads than the females.
The fur coat appears shaggy, fur is shorter on the front legs and over the shoulders, becoming gradually longer down the back and sides, with long, full shaggy britches and belly fur, giving an overall image of a big cat with long hair. Fur is very soft and silky, the glossy coat is heavy and water-resistant. Tails are usually bushy, long and flowing (about the same length as the body of the cat) and sometimes ringed like a raccoon tail. Feet have long tufts of fur growing out between the paw pads. They may a have a ruff (like a lions ruff) of fur around their neck.
Ears are large, wide at the base, moderately pointed, and well tufted inside (fur growing out of the ears), set high on their head, approximately one ear width apart. Sometimes ears have lynx tips. (fur growing up from the ends of the ears, like a Lynx)
Maine Coon eyes are large and expressive. Their muzzle is usually square and box-like. Some Maine Coons have a feral (wild) look and appear hostile. This is misleading; Maine Coons have very friendly and playful temperaments. They have a clown-like personality and affectionate nature; they seek out and enjoy the company of people. They make excellent companions for large, active families that also enjoy having dogs and other animals around. Their dispositions remain kittenish throughout their lives; they are big, gentle, good-natured goofs. Voices are often "tiny" with musical sounding trills and chirps, often sounding birdlike. Maine Coons are usually very talkative, intellegent, and may demand lots of attention. They usually are very social, and don't like to be left alone.
Cats in rescue/shelter situations may be traumatized by their experiences in a new, strange or frightening environment. Their normal personalities may not be obviously apparent. Time, consistent love and gentleness will win out. If you have it in your heart and you have the patience and most of all, the time, please consider rehabilitating a rescue kitty.
Disclaimer:
In many instances, the appearance of the listed cats clearly matches the breed standard, or they are listed here based upon the presence of some physical characteristics and personality traits that are shared by purebred Maine Coon Cats. MCARN does not propose to know the parentage of cats listed and, by this statement, it informs potential adopters that it cannot and does not assure that the parentage of Maine Coon appearing cats include any pure Maine Coon. Potential adopters are advised that the most appropriate approach to selecting a companion is to objectively evaluate their own situation and needs and to match that with the personality and behavior of the adoptee, regardless of parentage. Any pets found, adopted through, or listed by MCARN are the sole responsibility of the adoption organizations and/or the adopting party. MCARN accepts no responsibility for any liability or for any injury or damages to any person or property caused by any listed animal, as well as any cause of action, claims, suits or demands whatsoever that may arise as a result of such injury or damage.
Maine Coon Alliance Rescue Network
Email:
mcrescuelist@mainecoonalliance.org to forward a message to our Rescue List (you will not get mail from the list unless you subscribe). Or, Search list archives at
MCRescue Messages Archive
Phone: Please email us!
Or for a wider response join the mailing list at MCRescue@yahoogroups.com
Join MCRescue
Click here for MCARN's list of cats
Also please visit the website of the
United Maine Coon Cat Rescue League
UMCCRL Website
http://www.cffinc.org/umcca/rescue.htm
Currently covering MA, ME, NH, RI, VT, and CT
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