Maine Coon Rescue is a nationwide 501c3 Non-Profit organization dedicated to rescuing Maine Coon and Maine Coon Mix cats. We are a network of volunteers who share one love-our beloved Maine Coon. We assist in assuring that these cats are placed in carefully screened forever-homes where they will spend the rest of their lives being spoiled as they deserve.

The entire funding of our rescue efforts comes from the generosity of cat lovers, through donations, adoption fees and various fundraising activities. This money is used with great care so that every dollar helps as many needy Maine Coon and Maine Coon Mix cats and kittens as possible.

MCR gratefully acknowledges and thanks those of you who are an integral part of our rescue efforts on behalf of these cats by way of your financial support. MCR counts on you so that we can continue to shelter, care for, and place Maine Coon and Maine Coon Mix cats in permanent homes.

Fans of cats and crafts should be elated to learn that the Nasson Community Center gymnasium in Springvale will be hosting a cat and Christmas craft fair show on the weekend of Oct. 15-16.

The show, sponsored by the United Maine Coon Cat Association, which is affiliated with the Cat Fanciers Federation, will run from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. on Sunday, and will feature four rings of ongoing cat judging throughout.

The judges presiding over each ring will select nine finalists – in addition to a best in show cat – from the breeds present in their ring. Just some of the breeds included in the show will be Oriental, Shorthairs, Persians, Maine Coons, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Cornish Rex, Bengals and Ragdolls.

“All four rings will judge kittens, alters, champions and household pets,” said Peggy Vivinetto, vice president of the coon cat association. “Two of the rings will be all-breed, and that means that all breeds are judged against all other breeds according to their written standard. Two of the rings will be specialty – specialty rings judge short hairs against shorthairs, and long hairs against long hairs for each of the classes. (Eventually), 10 cats will be brought up for the finals, with the best cat position being No. 1.”

Carla Maria Sullwold, who handles publicity for the group, described what newcomers to cat shows can expect to see in each ring.

“It is a beauty contest,” Sullwold said. “Judges see if the cats confirm to visible standards, and the owners bring their cats in cages out together, 10 at a time, and get called up in order to the judges’ table. The judge then does all the handling of the cat, and will examine it, lift it, feel it, put it on the table, and maybe try to play with it – not for fun – but to try and illicit a response such as alertness or an expression for a specific breed.”

The cat show will also specifically honor the Maine state cat – the Maine Coon. The coon is one of the oldest breeds of cats in North America, and is one of the largest breeds amongst domesticated cats, often reaching well over 3 feet in length at adult size. Coons can have medium or long hair, and their coats can vary in color across the spectrum seen in other cats. Perhaps the most notable feature of the coon, however, is their gentle disposition.

“They are known as the gentle giant of the cat world,” Vivinetto said. “They have a unique personality. They are more like dogs than cats – they can open doors and play fetch. They also make a chirping sound, as well as purring.”

Coons also have a playful, or perhaps mischievous side.

“They are always around and will steal food off your plate if you are not looking,” Vivinetto said. “If you are missing something – they see everything as a toy – the coon has it. They also like to carry things from room to room, much like a dog. I always say, ‘If you can’t get a dog, get a coon cat instead.’”

Carol Pedley, a longtime breeder of coons at Le Beau Minu Cattery in Standish, will offer a presentation on the breed at noon on both Saturday and Sunday.

The competition is open to household cats, with a special discounted rate of $15 offered to those who have adopted from local shelters. The United Maine Coon Cat Association will bench these participants with more experienced members, as well as offering courtesy cage and curtains. However, all local household cat owners – regardless of where they got their kitty – are encouraged to come out and compete.

Spectators can actually visit the cats and their owners in the staging area, and ask questions about the breeds. Guests will also be able to vote on their pick amongst the competitors on both days, and winners will be crowned prom-style a king and queen of the show at the end of the day.

“(Being able to visit the owners and cats) is common at cat shows,” Sullwold said. “At some of the larger dog shows it isn’t like that, but at cat shows people are asked to stay with their cats, and even while the four rings are in progress, people can walk up and down the benches and talk to the breeders. They are normally very friendly, and like to talk about and show off their cats.”

Sullwold, who is a longtime breeder of coons herself, will also be doing a book signing around lunch time on both days for her work, “Tales of Mannahatta.”

In addition to the show itself, the event will also have an area set up for vendors, who will be selling cat-related products, as well as food, and an assortment of Christmas clothes, crafts and art. Some breeders may also have Maine Coon kitten available for sale.

Maine illustrator wins award

YARMOUTH, Maine — York artist Jeannie Brett has a shiny new toy for her Maine Coon cat, Trout. “My Cat, Maine Coon Cat,” a picture book illustrated by Brett and written by Sandy Ferguson Fuller, was just awarded a silver medal in the Picture Book, ages 4-8, category of the 2011 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. Trout served as the model for many of the book’s rich, detailed illustrations of coon cats, with their thick fur and tufted feet.

“My Cat, Maine Coon Cat” tells the story, in gentle rhyming verses, of a girl who uses humor, patience, and kindness to befriend a cat over the course of a day. Brett’s beautiful watercolors bring grace and life to the cat, as he chases dragonflies, flees from a dog, and eventually finds a new home.

This marks the second straight year an Islandport Press children’s book has won a Moonbeam Award and is one of three this year. Also in 2011 Dahlov Ipcar’s “Farmyard Alphabet” earned a bronze medal in the Board Book category and “Mercy,” by Portland author Sarah Thomson, was awarded a silver medal in the Young Adult — Horror/Mystery category. Last year, “The Fish House Door,” written by Robert Baldwin and illustrated by Astrid Sheckels, received the gold medal award in the Picture Book, All Ages, category.

The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to celebrate children’s books and lifelong reading.

Jeannie Brett has also illustrated children’s books for Michigan-based Sleeping Bear Press: “L is for Lobster, A Maine Alphabet”; “Fishing for Numbers, A Maine Numbers Book”; “M is for Mayflower, A Massachusetts Alphabet”; and “One if by Land, A Massachusetts Numbers Book.” She has also written and illustrated “Little Maine” and illustrated “Little New York” and “Little Pennsylvania,” “Little North Carolina” and “Little Pennsylvania,” state-themed board books of rhyming riddles. Brett has lived in Maine for more than three decades. She attended the School of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Sandy Ferguson Fuller has indulged her entire professional life in the fun world of children’s books, originally inspired as a student of Maurice Sendak at Yale. She is the author of “Moon Loon,” “Out In The Night,” “Hannah And The Perfect Picture Pony,” and “The BLUES Go Birding” series. Her work requires wearing many hats, including picture book author, illustrator, literary agent, bookseller and publishing consultant.

Fluff is the stuff at World Cat Show

The world’s biggest cat show has taken place in Poland. Nearly 1500 furry felines have been strutting their stuff in front of animal lovers, breeders and TV cameras. Let’s find out which cuddly kitty took top prize.

The World Cat Show is organized each year by members of the International Felinological Federation, as known as FiFe.

The gathering attracted 1,475 cats. There were Russian Blues, Siamese, Balinese, British moggies and American Maine Coons – cats come from all over the globe.

The first World Cat Show was held in 1990 in Munich, Germany.

Only cats registered with FiFe can take part in the show. And it is also an opportunity for cat’s owners to communicate.

Dorota Rudzinska, cat breeder, said, “Mice have taurine which cats don’t produce. That’s why in their premium food there is taurine, which strengthens their eyes and their condition. Cats should be fed with high class food, a premium food, because it contains all components needed for healthy growth.”

During the event, cats are individually judged and nominated for Best in Show.

The cats judged the Best in Show also get the title of the World Winner, which is added to the cat’s pedigree records.

The star of the show this year was a Maine Coon – one of the oldest breeds in North America. The breed’s noted for its hunting skills, large bone structure and long, flowing coat.

Albert Kurkowski, organizer, said, “The winner should be a world’s champion, should meet the standards of the breed, be very well prepared, have an excellent character and should look as if it deserves the title of champion.”

The World Cat Show took place on October 29th and 30th at the Poznan International Fair.

Любые проблемы или изменения в поведении мейн кун мгновенно отмечаются, и владелец видит в этом свою вину: он начинает копаться в памяти, пытаясь понять, что сделал не так или чего не дал своему мейн кун. Действительно, временами проблемы оказываются ужасающими, например, когда живущий в однокомнатной квартире мейн кун перестает пользоваться своим туалетом. Бывает, что мейн кун может настолько привязаться к своему хозяину, что его ежедневные отлучки причиняют ему страдания. Мейн кун живет настоящим временем и поначалу не замечает разницы между рабочей неделей и выходными днями, однако меняет свой распорядок, когда хозяин дома. Хозяин может еще и затруднить решение этой задачи, если на выходные вывезет мейн кун за город и выпустит погулять. Хотя мейн кун, возможно, никогда прежде не бывал на воле, это обычно не создает трудностей. Даже мейн кун в возрасте семи или восьми лет, которому раньше не приходилось сталкиваться с большим и диким миром, адаптируются на удивление легко и скоро чувствуют себя, комфортно.

Maine Coon Cattery and Maine Coon Kittens

Welcome to Maine Coon Cattery, breeders of Maine Coon cats exclusively. Our goals are to produce strong, healthy, well adjusted Maine Coon cats and kittens that will give years of enjoyment to their new families.

The Maine Coon Cattery is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America. The Maine Coon cat is the official state cat of Maine and one of the largest domestic cats you’ll ever find. Although they can be large is size, the Maine Coon cat breed is also known as the “Gentle Giants” due to their temperament. Most Maine Coon cats are loving, preferring to sit by you and let their presence be known as opposed to sitting on your lap. This is the breed we fell in love with and continue to enjoy in our home on a daily basis.

Maine Coon Cattery is dedicated to the protection, preservation and promotion of the Maine Coon cat breed. The cattery is registered with the following cat registries: ACFA, CFA, CFF and TICA.

Maine Coon Cattery screens all potential homes in advance for placement of our Maine Coon kittens and adult Maine Coon cats. Our Maine Coon kittens are only allowed to leave the cattery between 12-14 weeks of age. We also prefer to place locally but we can ship nationally.

Not all cat breeds are created equally in terms of being friendly and easy to get along with.  In fact, some cats are known to be among the friendliest while others fall into the category of downright mean!  There will always be a slight debate between cat owners due to the simple fact that even a breed that is thought to be in the friendly category can turn out to be hard to live with and vice a versa.  A cat’s temperament is not always predetermined, as much of how a cat interacts with humans as well as other animals is a direct result of how it was raised.

Here are the top 5 cat breeds thought to be among the friendliest and best to live with:

5. MaineCoon

Also known as the “gentle giant”, the MaineCoon cat breed is ideal to bring into almost any home.  Full grown, these MaineCoon cats can reach up to 25 pounds, but its sweet-natured temperament makes up for the weight when it jumps up on your lap!  With a tail that is bushy like a racoon, it’s no wonder where it’s name came from.  Although its fur is longer than a typical short haired MaineCoon cat, it doesn’t mat or tangle like you would expect.