*1st Set of Kitten Vaccines

*2nd Set of Kitten Vaccines

*Preventative Dewormings

*Adult Rabies Vaccine

*Microchip

*Neutering/Spaying

*Free ACFA pedigreed Association Registration Papers &

YOU name your new CoonKid!

*FL Vet Health Certificate, & CoonPals Contract

*Freshly bathed, nails clipped and ears cleaned!

*Nice gift bag full of cat stuff and cat toys!

Red Classic Tabby male neuter:  Born 1-20-08 ... here 4 mos...   Now 5 mos...

Congratulations Gail,  Howard, assorted pets  &  CoonPals Macaroni !

Red Classic Tabby male neuter:  Born 1-20-08 ... 3.5 mos

Congratulations Susan,  James, Zorro  &  CoonPals Floyd!

Brown Mackerel Tabby Female Spay:  Born 10-1-07 ... 6mos  

Congratulations Danielle, Madeleine, Ethan & CoonPals Jalaya!

  Brown Mackerel Tabby Female Spay: Born 7-18-07,         6.5 mos old...   7mos...   

Congratulations Adam, MacKenzie, Sasha & CoonPals Ellie!

Red Classic Tabby F ... Born 9-26-07    

 CoonPals Scarlett Dreams, 5.5 mos

Congratulations to Dani & Noelle Heart, California 

"Thank you for our beautiful little girl. She is wonderful and everything we hoped for! She is doing very well and loves to play. Flame still is pissy but he will get over it. She is not sure about the dogs yet because all they want to do is kiss her and she doesn't understand so that's kinda funny to see."  

Red Mackerel Tabby Male:  Born 9-26-07...   Kathy & Rudy 4mos...   

Kathy & Rudy in "Show pose," Rockford, Illinois, at 4.5 mos ... 10th BEST All Breed Kitten in SE Region 08!

  "Best Maine Coon Kitten" & "2nd Best Maine Coon Kitten" ACFA Lake Placid, FL Show,  Feb. 16-17, 08 ... "3rd Best Kitten in Show" & "4th Best Kitten In Show!"

Congratulations Kathy, Blue Velvet, Cobalt Winslow, Rhapsody In Blue & CoonPals Rudy Wolfgang!

  Brown Classic Tabby Female Spay:    Born 10-1 -07    

Blue Bear & Bella 5-08

Congratulations John, Sandy, Blue Bear & CoonPals Bella!

It's been 48 hours and things are improving. Bella took advantage of BB's nap time to do some exploring.  She seems happy with her surroundings and when BB looms, she heads back to the safety of her fort. He tried to nip her a couple of times but the growl always sends him into a retreat. For now BB is content with stealing her toys...The kids were happy to see us. Things have progressed and they seem to be tolerating each other at closer range. BB likes Bella's food better than his own so we're working through that. Bella is quite a lover and seeks attention. We have to be carefull to give BB equal time. 
 

Brown Mackerel Tabby Male Neuter:  Born 9-26-07       at 4mos...   Gregory & Buddy...Kristen & Buddy... 

Congratulations to April,  Gregory, Kristin & CoonPals Buddy!  We love him!  The "chance" of you deciding not to show him was meant to be.  We could not have prayed for a better match as an additon to our family.  He is such a lovebug, has a great personality and keeps Greg entertained for hours with his antics... Buddy is an achiever in his own rite.  He has earned his
military Airborne wings by successfully completing 3 jumps from the 2d
floor balcony down to the foyer. 

Brown Mackerel Tabby Female Spay:  Born 7-18-07     

5 mos...

 Congratulations to Andy, Molly, Brian, Katy & CoonPals  Hazel!   Could she be any more gorgeous?!  I am so impressed with how laid back she is!  ... I showed the pictures to the kids, my hubby and my mom. All agree she's a beauty... she is such a lover & Snuggler!  We have all bonded to her already!
 

Red Mackerel Tabby Male Neuter:  Born 9-26-07:    

... 4 mos & riding home to Tallahassee 

Congratulations Suzanne, Richard, CoonPals Betty Blue & CoonPald Bobby Mac!  

...and...

Blue Mackerel Tabby Female:  Born 7-18-07:       

5 mos...

Congratulations to Suzanne, Richard,   CoonPals Betty Blue, &  CoonPals Bobby Mac~   It is obviously that you give your all in raising these CoonPals.  She does miss her littermates, but Betty Blue adjusted so quickly to us.  She is so beautiful, loving & playful.  She sleeps with us, alternating between Dick's head & on my chest!

Blue Classic Tabby Male:  Born 7-18-07            ... now 5.5 mos

Congratulations to JoAnne, Raymond & CoonPals Benjamin Blue Bear!   Benjamin has stolen our hearts!!  He is QUITE a character.  I  love all the different sounds and meows...It's hard to type since my little monster loves to run across the keyboard - needs to have all my attention all the time! Breaks my heart to leave him to go to work - he follows me to the door and gives me the "don't go" look. When I come back, he comes to greet me at the door and lets me hold and pet him for a long time.  He's so adorable to play with - loves to chase me around the house and when he's tired, he gives me a little tap of the paw on the back of my leg and when I change the bed, he has to run in and out of the stack of pillows and under the covers. Hide and seek is still the favorite game.  He and Emily have finally worked out the sleeping arrangements - he does not bully her off my pillow anymore, he lies on his daddy's pillow and leaves Emily on mine. He likes to stay close during the night so he can jump on us when he decides he's hungry - even if it's 3 o'clock in the morning.
 

 Blue Mackerel Tabby Male Neuter:  Born 7-18-07          

Congratulations to Francine & CoonPals Blues Clues "Sweet Pea"  He is everything you said he was and more.  I absolutely love and adore him!  He is smart, funny, entertaining & rules the house already.  He jumps on & rides the backs of the big Goldens.  He sits by the pool & hangs out with China Doll & Macie, our other two dogs.  He came at just the right time when I was going through some difficult times... He's doing great!  Rules the household pets and the people too!  Good thing he's so cute, or he'd be dead - he's so naughty.  LOL

Blue Classic Female  Spay:  Born 7-18-07:    Ken & Mimi-Ku 3.5 mos...   

... 5 mos     Amy & Mimi-Ku 5 mos...   Now 7 mos...     Now 9 mos...

Congratulations to Amy, Kenneth & CoonPals Mimi-Ku!   "...she drank a lot and ate a lot soft and hard mix food after Ken trimmed her nails... she is really calm and aware of what we 're doing and really performs well while we trimmed her nails.  I'm so proud of her!! and Thanks for your professional training in CoonPals; you make everything easier and smoother!!  Mimi ku played a little hide and seek this early evening...  everything turned out great: she ate, drank, got the nails trimmed, chasing the balls all over the place and now fell in a deep, deep sleep in the very relaxing position!  I'm proud of to be her mommy..."  "We finally moved in to our new house {Kansas} and mimi ku is sooo happy with running around in this big space.  She is getting puffier, powerful and beautiful!"
 

* COMMON  QUESTIONS  &  ANSWERS *  Updated 1-27-08

1.  How do you communicate with potential CoonPals families?   Through my website information and pictures, emails, phone and/or US mail.    Only families ready to select and take home their new furry child comes to my home.

2.  Why is it important for the breeder to be an active member in cat associations and active in showing their cats?   Responsible Breeders stay current and knowledgeable about their breeds and cat issues through their associations, interaction with experienced breeders, and exhibiting their cats at shows.  Respected Breeders continually learn, improve the breed they love, and assist/educate others about their breed.

3.  Will you have kittens ready to go to homes in Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall 2008?   Yes! 

4.   Do you sell pets, show cats and cats for breeding?   I place pets to loving families.  Special arrangements are made IF I place a show cat or cat for breeding.  I rarely place a CoonPals Coon with breeding rights.  The prices are significantly higher for show/breed cats, and require an additional contract with special terms of agreement.

5.  How big can Maine Coons grow?   Maine Coon females are typically large, compared to other breeds, but smaller and lighter than Maine Coon males.  Average Maine Coon females tend to be 8-11lbs with 12lbs being a very large female.  Average males tend to be 10-14lbs, large males 15-20lbs, and 21-28lbs being an exceptionally EXTRA large male.  REMEMBER:  SHOWCATS strive to meet the IDEAL STANDARD ... the BEST of Maine Coons!  Keep reasonable expectations when finding your PET!   Weight should be fit and muscular, not fat.  SIZE is greatly exaggerated, as to the average Maine Coon size!

6.  What makes the Maine Coon special, and your favorite cat breed?   Maine Coons are extremely intelligent-alert, playful, loving, snugglers, quirky personalities, interactive, gorgeous, long silky soft coats & long plume tails, "wild looking" large housecats, puppy-like behavior (meet humans at door, follow room-to-room, seek human interaction and loyal, jump high in play, fetch, bury food and toys for later retrieval, vocal cat 'barks,' chirps, trills, meows, purrs while not irritatingly regular or loud), sensitive...  I could go on and on!

7.  What are the colors and patterns for Maine Coons?   The most common colors and patterns are brown classic tabby, brown mackerel tabby, and brown patch tabby (females only).  "Exotic Maine Coon Colors" are less plentiful and common, in solid colors of white, black blue, red and silver; bi-colors; smokes (undercoat is white with colored tips on the fur); patch tabby girls (multicolored plus red & creamy patches of color); and/or with patterns of classic tabby (large marble swirls through fur with stripped legs/tail) or mackerel tabby (thin tiger stripes through fur with stripped legs/tail). 

8.  Can Coons be an indoor-outdoor cat?  Indoors and enclosed porch-type environments only.  This provides the safest and healthiest environment for your pedigreed 'family member!'

9.  Do Maine Coons get along well with other cats and children?   Yes!  Coons are great companions in single human and multi-human homes.  They are great with other animals and children.  Most Coons are the "BOSS" because they are so smart and crafty.  Part of daily fun includes outsmarting and playing tricks on their humans and other living things in the home!

10.  How much grooming do Maine Coons require?   I keep a cat comb and brush by the couch and my bed.  Train Coons young that brushing is part of our petting/loving time, to remove loose fur and prevent hairballs.  Brush the furniture, too!.  Train YOUNG to trim nails every two weeks, and baths for pet coons aren't needed very often- keep some baby wipes nearby for occasional clean offs.

11.   What do you feed Maine Coons?   Weaned kittens eat Iams Kitten hard food, goat's milk, and fresh water until 1 year old.  Adult Coons are fed Iams Lamb & Rice, and/or Life's Abundance hard nuggets and fresh water.  Treats include cooked chicken, cooked fish, tuna, and Tartar Control hard treats.   Tip: WalMart sells "Maxximum" brand hard nugget Adult, Hairball and Kitten food, which has the comparable ingredients for half the price of Original, Hairball, and Kitten Iams!!

12.  What about declawing my Maine Coon?   Cat Associations consider declawing inhumane.  I have found that training Coons young to have nail trimmings every two weeks, and doing this regularly, plus providing scratching posts, keeps problems under control.  Squirt water bottles come in handy, too!

13.  What do I need to provide to my Maine Coon?   Lots of interaction, love, time and humor!  Regular Vet vaccines and care; high quality hard food; fresh water in porcelain or stainless steel bowls; windows to nature; high sturdy scratching posts or towers; a deep plastic 58 QT litter box (Wal-Mart) filled with mixture of 3" deep Feline Pine Litter pellets and clumping litter; weekly combing/brushing; and a variety of toys.

14.  What are my responsibilities concerning neutering the Coon?   All reputable, responsible breeders enter into a written agreement with families, including the promise that the family will neuter the Coon as early as your Vet recommends.  This contract is not complete until written proof in a copy of the Vet's surgery receipt is sent back to the breeder.  We appreciate not having to track down this proof, but we will!  Because some families neglect to complete this contractual step, more breeders are neutering cats early, and kittens are neuterd at 8-12 weeks old, before going to families.  This assures that CoonPals is supporting the need for Early Spay/Neuter to control overpopulation, in order to prevent accidental cross breedings, so as to protect the integrity of pedigreed Maine Coon Cats, and protection of CoonPals bloodlines from theft.  The cost of neutering is INCLUDED in my CoonPals Package; CoonPals can have an entire litter done, for the usual private Vet's fee to neuter one pet!  Thus, the new owners spend less money and time making trips to their Vet after bringing the CoonPals home!

15.  Please read this Winn Feline Foundation Article on Early Spay/Neuter:  Neuter in the Cat - a Winn Feline Foundation Report

16.  What guarantees are provided in the CoonPals' Written Contract?   CoonPals guarantees that our cats are pedigreed Maine Coons, registered in CFA, ACFA and/or TICA.  We provide our kittens with two dewormings, Intranasal Trivalent vaccine, their initial 2 sets of kitten Vet Check-ups and vaccines, including FVRCP, Feline Leukemia Vaccines and adult ravies, and are sent with FL Vet's Health Certificate stating the Coon is in good health: free of ear mites-fleas- worms-obvious feline illnesses/diseases.  CoonPals Sires and Dams are screened for HCM: Hypertropic Cardiomyopathy, and are Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDS negative.  A free ACFA Cat Association Pedigreed registration of your Maine Coon will be submitted with your name as owner and your chosen name for the cat, & we microchip and register your microchipped CoonPals with 24PetWatch.

17.  Do you always place CoonPals' Coons to all families who contact you?   NO!  My Coons are my furry children!  After thorough mutual interviewing and discussions, I may not think the environment and/or human understands and is willing to make the necessary commitment required to own a Maine Coon Cat: one that will provide a stimulating, safe, healthy and thriving home, as 'one of the family' and 'cherished pet.' I have met some who view and look to add a Maine Coon as a "conversation piece, huge, trophy-like object," and I will not release my furry children to that attitude or environment.

18.  What does "reserving a CoonPals' Coon" mean?   After communications and discussions, mutual agreement is made to be added to the CoonPals' VIP List, & submitting a non refundable $350 deposit by money order or cashier's check on an upcoming Coon, along with our written contract.  VIPS have extra communications, pictures, etc., and are notified first to choose from available CoonPals Coons.

19.  When can my Maine Coon kitten come home with me?   I let the mommies and kittens decide when the weaning process is complete- no earlier than 12 weeks of age, and sometimes up to 16 weeks.

20.  Do you ever place older kittens or adult cats as pets?   Yes.  Occasionally I show a kitten or cat for a period of time, or a particular title, and then match that Coon to just the right family.

21. What is a microchip & Why do you microchip your cats?  

Animal microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are typically implanted just beneath the skin between the shoulder blades by a veterinarian or trained member of an animal welfare organization. The process is similar to a vaccination and most animals do not react when the microchip is implanted. Once implanted the microchip remains just beneath the skin for the rest of the animal’s lifetime, a permanent form of identification. Cats are naturally curious and unpredictable, in the event that they are drawn away from the safety of their home you need to give them the best chance of getting home safely. In the event that your cat does get lost a microchip registered with 24PetWatch is your cat’s best chance of getting home. – tell them that you would prefer to have a 24PetWatch microchip. In the event that they use a different brand of microchip you should still register your pet’s microchip with 24PetWatch - the only full service pet recovery network that provides free registration for all brands of microchips in North America.  What should I do if my pet goes missing? Call 24PetWatch immediately. The Lost Pet Recovery Specialists on duty will fill in a lost pet report, check for any corresponding pets found and conduct a real time search for your pet in over 500 animal welfare organizations across North America. In the event that we locate your pet we will help to arrange a re-union between you and your pet. If my pet is taken to a veterinary clinic or shelter how will they know to call 24PetWatch? All animals that are brought into a veterinary clinic or animal welfare organization are routinely scanned for a microchip. In the event that a microchip is located the emergency personnel will call 24PetWatch to see whether we have the pet registered in our database. As soon as a match has been made we will call you to let know that your pet has been found and to help to arrange a re-union. All pets registered with 24PetWatch are also provided with a 24PetWatch pet tag. In the event that your pet is still wearing the tag the emergency personnel will know to call 24PetWatch immediately.

22.  What is feline herpes virus?
Feline herpes virus is an upper respiratory virus of cats. It is also known as rhinotracheitis virus. It is very common among cats, especially in environments where there are multiple cats or new cats are constantly interacting. The virus is spread through the air and replicates in the upper respiratory tract (nasal area, tonsils). The conjunctiva of the eye is also affected during the primary infection. Clinical signs of infection include sneezing and ocular and nasal discharge. In most cases the primary infection resolves with no residual ocular lesions. However, depending on the age when the cat is affected, the serotype of the virus (infectivity or strength of infection), and other factors, there may be various ocular signs. In very young cats, adhesions of the eyelids to each other or to the cornea may occur. Adult cats may experience recurrent conjunctivitis or corneal ulcers. The virus remains latent in the nerves that serve the eyes. When a cat is stressed or exposed to new serotypes (different strains) of herpes virus, the ocular disease can recur. There is some evidence that eosinophilic keratitis, plasmacytic-lymphocytic keratitis, corneal sequestrum, and some cases of anterior uveitis may be associated with feline herpes virus infection.

How do cats get feline herpes virus?

Most cats are affected as kittens, contracting the infection from their mothers. Stray cats, multi-cat households, and cats from households where new cats are constantly introduced are more likely to suffer infection. Feline herpes virus is not contagious to dogs or to humans but only affects cats.

How is feline herpes virus diagnosed?

History and clinical signs can diagnose ocular diseases caused by feline herpes virus. Aside from history and clinical signs, diagnostic tests for feline herpes virus include virus isolation, immunofluorescent antibody testing, polymerase chain reaction testing, serology, and cytology. Testing can be expensive and is generally reserved for specific cases. Tests that may not specifically detect the presence of herpes may be used to detect ocular disease caused by herpes. These tests include a Schirmer tear test (measuring tear production), corneal staining, and conjunctival biopsy.

How is feline herpes virus treated?

Treatment for feline herpes virus infections is nonspecific and generally directed at controlling secondary bacterial infection. A topical antibiotic such as tetracycline or erythromycin may be prescribed for use in the eye. Systemic antibiotics may also be prescribed.

Viralys Powder contains: 250 mg. L-Lysine per 1 rounded scoop. Scoop provided in container. Approximately 310 doses per container. Oral L-Lysine is recommended by many veterinary ophthalmologists at a dose of 250-500 mg twice daily.

Lysine competes with another amino acid, arginine, that herpes virus must have in order to reproduce. Lysine has been demonstrated to decrease the severity of ocular symptoms associated with herpes virus infection (1) and reduce viral shedding during periods of disease recurrence (2). Depending on symptoms, other medications such as topical antiviral drugs, topical polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or topical interferon may be used. In some cases the ocular diseases resulting from feline herpes virus may require surgical intervention. The key to managing the clinical signs associated with feline herpes virus is controlling the cat's environment. Cats exposed to multiple cats (indoor-outdoor cats), cats in multiple cat households, or cats that are frequently introduced to new cats are difficult to keep disease free. Reducing stress by maintaining a stable routine is helpful in preventing recurrences of disease. Keep in mind that it is the nature of the virus to see recurrences of the disease and periodic treatment is often necessary.