Because the costs of ethical breeding continues to rise and we’ve seen a steep increase in cost over the last few years, our kittens average $3500-$4500, with low range kittens landing below this average at $4000, and high range kittens landing above this range at $4500.

The quickest answer to this question is to explain that our costs per month for the cats needs averages $3,000 a month during slower months, and much more during busy kitten filled months. We’ve seen months as high as $7,000! There is much more to breeding than it might appear on social media. Here is the shortlist of our constant costs: DNA tests, echocardiograms, play pens, specialty food, medications, vaccines, toys, treats, microchips, go-home kits, website servicing, TICA fees, supplements, breeding insurance, cleaning products, specialty shampoos, cleaning equipment, vet visits, and the one people expect the least: house renovations. To top it all off, we purchase an average of two new breeding cats a year to keep our bloodlines fresh, and these cats often cost $4500-$7000. Breeding cats is an entire way of life, and the long list is hundreds of items long. All said and done, it’s possible we will never make back the money we put into starting the cattery, and we don’t even compensate ourselves for our time. If we wanted to make any money, asking $7000 for each kitten would not be unreasonable, and even that may not do it!

We use the most extensive genetic screening laboratory available: My Cat Scan (now Orivet). HCM screening by echocardiogram is also a very important step in breeding Maine Coons and we are proud to say that all of our cats have been echocardiogram screened before breeding, with exceptions only for cats who have had their parents screened with us, but ultimately these cats will also have their own screenings at a year old, and every other year after until they are retired and rehomed.

For the safety and health of our cats and particularly vulnerable young kittens we do not allow cattery visits. Feline viruses pass very easily on clothes, shoes etc. Photos and/or videos are posted regularly to our social media pages, and you are welcome to request a video call to speak to us and see the cats.

Kittens can go home by the time they are 13-14 weeks old.

Yes. Kittens are dewormed regularly and given a preventative coccidia treatment at 28 days old. Kittens are guaranteed to be parasite free on arrival to your home. If there are any health concerns for the kitten, these will always be disclosed upfront.

Kittens come vaccinated for two times vaccinated for Feline Calcivirus, Feline Herpes Virus, and Feline Panleukopenia, and once for rabies.

Kittens must get their rabies vaccination by 16 weeks old by your veterinarian according to NY State Law, and may be boosted for all three aforementioned diseases at this time as well.

We feed Purina and Dave’s in our home and love these brands. They’re easy on our cats stomachs and there’s much less litter-box related stink associated with them than Royal Canin or Wysong. We recommend a diet of dry food free-fed, and wet food daily. Hills Science Diet Sensitive Stomach is a good option if your kitten seems prone to these issues, as sometimes Maine Coons do.

This is an unequivocal no. Kittens must be fully paid for before transfer. Please do not ask or try to negotiate this. The answer is no. Thank you. :)

“Heart of Snow” is a cattery name registered to us through TICA that we reserved for future use. We thought it sounded cool to use both at the same time, but eventually, it seemed like instead of “Heart of Snow and Night Silver Maine Coons” which is VERY long, it might be a good idea to shorten it down to “Night Silver Maine Coons” and/or “Night Silver Cattery”. It was a hard decision to make, but to boot “Heart of Snow and Night Silver” sounded a bit too much like a nail art or fashion site. It may return if we ever add merchandise like printed canvas bags, specialty toys, etc!

Yes! We are registered with TICA and we have completed TICA’s Voluntary Code of Ethics and have both documents readily available.