Edited by Ruoqi Lin.
Jan 14, 2026

Is It Normal for a Maine Coon Breeder to Not Allow Visits?

Many people have a very natural question when choosing a Maine Coon kitten:

“Is it normal that a Maine Coon breeder doesn’t allow visits? If I can’t meet the kitten in person, how do I choose one?”

The answer is YES — this is not only normal, but in many cases, it is actually a responsible practice.

In a real breeding environment, not allowing visits does not mean a lack of transparency. On the contrary, it often reflects a breeder’s commitment to protecting the kittens’ health, the mother cat’s well-being, and the stability of the overall environment.

Why Many Maine Coon Breeders Do Not Allow Visits

Since 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic, many reputable breeders shifted to a closed-cattery model, where in-person visits are limited or not offered at all. This change wasn’t just a temporary safety measure — for many Maine Coon breeders, it continues because it supports a healthier, more secure environment for both cats and people.

Here are the main reasons behind this decision:

1. Kittens Are Extremely Vulnerable

In the first few weeks after birth, kittens are in a very sensitive developmental stage. Their immune systems are still maturing, and their bodies are easily affected by environmental changes.
Any additional movement of people — including shoes, clothing, hands, or unfamiliar scents — can introduce potential risks. Most visitors may have cats at home, and even visitors without cats cannot completely rule out carrying bacteria or viruses from other environments.

2. A Breeding Environment Is Not a Showroom

A responsible Maine Coon breeding space is designed as a nursery, not an exhibition area. It focuses on stability, cleanliness, and minimal disruptions.
Whether visits are allowed is more of a management decision than a reflection of transparency or customer service.

3. Safety and Security Concerns

Beyond health and emotional stability, there are real safety risks that breeders contend with. Over the past years, there have been reported incidents of cat thefts in the broader community — including breeders being targeted for valuable animals. For example, news reports have documented cases where rare cats were stolen during break-ins and smash-and-grab robberies, with thieves specifically targeting valuable breeds due to their perceived market value.

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Stolen Kittens in New York

A significant news story involves the murder of an award-winning dog breeder, Paul Peavey, in Colorado

The Lansing breeders went to a mall to meet a supposed buyer, but were instead robbed at gunpoint, with suspects fleeing with the puppies.

Because a cattery is often also the breeder’s home, some breeders choose to limit public access to protect their animals, property, and personal safety.

So, How Do You Choose a Maine Coon Kitten If You Can’t See It in Person?

1. Look for Ongoing Updates, Not a One-Time Visit

A truly responsible breeder will usually provide:

Multiple photos and videos over time (not just one flattering picture)
Weight records or growth updates
Honest personality observations

Compared to a short in-person visit, long-term updates often show a kitten’s true condition much more accurately.

Some kittens may appear shy or cautious around strangers at around two months old — and that can be completely normal. With proper socialization, many of these kittens become confident and outgoing as they grow. A breeder who spends time observing the kittens daily is in the best position to judge whether a kitten is likely to change and mature socially, rather than labeling it too quickly based on a single moment.

2. Let the Breeder Match the Kitten — Instead of Choosing Blindly

Many buyers start with requests like:

“I want the biggest one.”
“I want the most playful one.”
“I want the clingiest one.”

But the truth is, only the breeder who interacts with the kittens every day truly understands their individual differences.

Instead of guessing from photos, you can share with the breeder:

Your household situation
Whether you have other pets
How much time you spend at home
Whether you prefer a calm or interactive personality

A good breeder will use this information to match you with the right maine coon kitten, not ask you to make a decision based on appearance alone.

3.Pay Attention to Consistency, Not Just Looks

When evaluating a kitten remotely, focus on details such as:

Whether the kitten’s behavior appears consistent across photos and videos
Whether personality descriptions remain stable over time
Whether the breeder is willing to mention small imperfections

A reliable breeder does not only highlight the positives.

If you are unsure, you can absolutely ask for:

New videos showing interaction with people
Videos with other cats or dogs
Different daily situations

And if you are worried about being misled, request a video call.
A responsible breeder will not refuse this.

4.Focus on Transparency Over Physical Access

When judging whether a breeder is trustworthy, what matters more is:

Are they willing to explain their practices?
Do they answer questions patiently?
Do they give you realistic expectations instead of telling you what you want to hear?

True transparency does not always come from stepping into someone’s home — it comes from consistent communication over time.

In reality, many backyard breeders are actually more willing to allow visits, because kittens are sold batch by batch and long-term health or disease prevention is often not their priority.

How to Avoid Cattery Scams

If you can’t see the kitten in person, protecting yourself is important — but it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Ask for a live video call. A real breeder won’t refuse.
Watch for consistency. Photos, videos, dates, and descriptions should match over time.
Be cautious of urgency or unusually low prices. Kittens under $2,000? That’s usually a red flag. Here is the usual price range for Maine coon kittens
Trust communication, not just photos. Scams sell images; real breeders show real interaction.