I promised to interview Stella Gaylor, an experienced, knowledgeable and responsible breeder of Maine Coon cats after reading the many thoughtful comments and questions on my blog about Persian cats.
Stella Gaylor’s reputation as a responsible and ethical breeder and exhibitor of magnificent Maine Coon cats is exemplary. Her cattery is RP Cathouse. Since she loves all cats and kittens, her goal is:
“Ensuring that every cat has a loving home where they are cherished and loved forever. I want them to have the medical attention they need and deserve. I don’t know everything but I will give up most everything to make sure they are taken care of before I take care of myself.”
Interviewing Stella was both a delight and privilege. I discussed some of the main concerns and questions about breeding cats raised by PoC readers.
Jo: “In order to produce a locally bred ‘traditional Persian’, one of our readers tried to breed his 5 year-old male Persian to his mother. The queen was in estrus and inviting, but his male didn’t seem interested in her- or since he never had been bred before, perhaps he didn’t know what to do.”
Stella: “I have a male who was almost 4 years old before bred his first female. It is uncommon but not unheard of. Plus, I do not think that breeding son to mother is wise. The inbreeding will double up on any underlying genetic problems. Only breeders who have line bred will do this, but they have tested the cats for any and everything, and it would only be a onetime thing.”
Jo: “What testing do you do to rule out these genetic problems – and possible illnesses associated with them? Do most responsible breeders do this?”
Stella: “There are a lot of necessary tests. Responsible breeders test their lines for
- Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
- Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HMC)
- Hip Dysplasia (HP)
- and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
Some tests are X-Rays and sonograms. Doppler Echocardiograms are performed to rule out heart problems. DNA testing is done, also.”
“While these tests are expensive, they provide breeders with a great deal of vital information. Most breeders do test their line; testing for PKD, HMC and HD. This doesn’t negate the possibility that the cat will not come down with some condition; but testing for HMC clears the cat. My cats have never had hip problems, HCM, PKD or SMA; but I don’t rule out that it will never happen. Genetics is the major player in these factors. A distant ancestor might have one of these conditions. Eventually it will make its presence known. Testing is the only way to find out if the breeding cat has genetic problems.”
Jo: “Do you subscribe to the commonly held position that moggies are healthier than pure bred cats?”
Stella: “I am sorry to say there are breeders who breed indiscriminately. Some are in it for the money just like kitten mills, instead of the goal of preserving the breed. I have seen sickly moggies and feral cats. Who can say how long they live and if they died from disease or something else? I have had rescues live a long life and then of course some that die in a few years.
How many moggies get tested if they die at a young age- between 8 to 10 years old? I am thinking, not many. How many under the age of 5 years old? Did they run away or die or get killed? How many are allowed to roam outside? How many are up to date on their vaccines and get regular medical checkups every year? When they see that something is wrong with their cat, how many owners will drop everything and get their kitty to a vet, instead of searching for a home remedy to cure what they think is wrong?
I would never put off taking a cat/kitten to the vet; it is a life I love and am responsible for. Every breeder I know has spent a fortune at the vets, and would do it again and again. How many people would do that that let their cats have litter after litter? Before breeding, how many would spend the money to test to ensure their cat is healthy, with no genetic problems? Yes, getting rescues saves lives; but at the same time there are people who are looking for a certain type of cat, coat, personality and temperament. These people want see the parents and grandparents and make sure they are healthy.
I have 4 generations in my home. Visit my cattery and you will see my kittens’ parents, grandparents, and even some great grandparents. I know the health issues of my cats and their personalities. Can you say that about most moggies? I loved my rescues but some also died young; under the age of ten.”
Jo: “Another question posed by a reader. So, are there any statistics on how many pedigree kittens are miscarried, born dead, die young, or are born deformed because of incestuous breeding?”
Stella: “I know of no statistics on how many kittens are miscarried or still- born. I know of no breeder who would allow incestuous breeding. My males have 2 rooms of their own and no females are allowed in unless there is a planned breeding. I have had a few still- born kittens in the 14 years I have been breeding. No miscarriages or no deformed kittens. Can the average person who lets their cat breed to an unknown male get the same results? Do those with unaltered cats know the health and identity of the father? We can only speculate about the outcome of these breedings.”
Jo: “Do you and other reputable breeders keep extensive breeding records?”
Stella: “I can’t comment on what other breeders do. I keep extensive records ever since I started my breeding program. I keep a file on each litter, the people who bought them, and a signed contract. Since I want to know how my kittens are doing and where they are, I follow them up regularly.”
My final question:
Jo: “What type of line-breeding do you do?”
Stella: “None!”
I hope this interview serves to better illustrate the way in which responsible, reputable and ethical cat breeding is done in the United States and throughout Europe. What are your thoughts? Please share them with a comment.
Jo
Photo Credit: Stella Gaylor- RP Cathouse
I have a few questions. As a breeder I control the breeding and mating of my cats. I control the number of breeding cats I have and the kittens they produce and when and how often. I make sure they have vet care and are vaccinated, proper diet and so on. I am on a list that have pet owners, why would they not get a cat spayed or neutered, then ask why is my cat spraying or there is a discharge coming from the female, or any medical problem, go looking for home rememdies fix the problem. Or a behavioral problem consult the vet first, and many other questions. Before I fell in love with the Maine Coons I made sure that my cats were vetted and fed properly. As a child yes my cats were in and outdoor cats. But that was way too many years ago. But they were at the vet yearly. Thank you MOM! They were spayed or neutered. You are responsible for their life and health. Yes I am sure there are those who don’t have the money but there are many more I am thinking that do. How do we educate them that a first visist doesn’t cost thousands of dollars or hundreds. I kitten well check up and vaccines are basics. This way the vet will know them and the cat. Just a little (big) pet peeve of mine. Yes it is in my contract that a kitten must be seen within 72 hours or pick up and a letter from vet is required on the condition and health of the kitten. I give a vet certificate on the health of the kitten and vaccine record. It is in my contract that they will be seen if anything is wrong and I am to be informed of it.
Stella
Jo, thanks for an outstanding interview. Stella, thank you for agreeing to the interview and making some excellent points. I became interested in the Maine Coon breed after interacting with you on onther online forums. I now volunteer for a Maine Coon rescue organization processing applications for adoption. Thank you for your responsible breeding techniques and for caring so remarkably for your cats and kittens. 🙂
Am about to get away from the general trend of this article. I love the article and it was very informative. I have a short story to tell. About 6 years ago I adopted three litter mates (rescues). Each and everyone is so different.Patches is the one who looks very much like a Maine coon if I ever saw one. She has a really long multi- color coat with extremely long whiskers! My only problem with her is that she is really bossy with my remaining cats (6) and has them running for cover when they see her. Are most Maine coons this aggressive even towards their own litter mates and other cats? Yes they are all neutered and all are females.
Stella is the best person to respond but my gut feeling is that this is not a Maine Coon (MC) thing but a sibling thing. MCs are like any other domestic cat. It is probably sibling rivalry or something similar and will possibly pass in time.
No not usually, that being said if a breeder sees one that is being a bully they will not breed that cat. Kittens take their personalities from their parents for the most part. Plus it depends on the socializing of the kittens. If a kitten is being a bully the other kittens will not play with it to teach them they are being to rough, momma cat will also swat the kitten to put it in its place. Usually they will come around with you holding and controlling the kitten when you are playing with them. A quick scruf and and firm and loud NO! will work most of the time. It all depends on how these kittens were raised. Now saying that I have found the female with red in it will be a little more outgoing and head strong and want to control. Talk to your vet and see what they say. There is safe drugs you can give to help change behaviors.
Stella
This observation squares up with mine. The orange tabby tends to be a boss cat.
These cats are truly special and a very special lady she is for proper breeding and homing these wonderful kitties. Thank goodness there are still responsible pet owners and breeders.
Stella, I just was interested in more about their personalities and day to day lives. I guess I’m more interested in what the cats are like once they get here than in how they come into the world. But then, I’m just a cat lover, not a breeder.
Day to day living. A Maine Coon kittens is like any other kitten. It can be out going or a little shy, they run around getting into things and on things. They are a normal kitten maybe except for Size. At 4 months some are 4 pounds but more like 5 – 6 dpending on the lines they are out of and how quick they develop. After a year they have mellowed out some and are not racing around. Yes they love to play and interact with you playing with toys with them. Most are very lappy cats. Taking up the entire lap. They love to snuggle at night time. Lay on you while you sleep. They are quick to learn. Mine know when I call home on my way from work and are waiting for me at the door. Even the kittens come to see what is going on. They have been by my side when I am sick and not feeling good. One is almost always in my lap at the computer. I have learned to type with my arms stretched way out. They follow you around like puppies most of the time wanting to be near you. They are a natural breed and that is what I love about them. As they age of course they are less active but will play if you play with them. What else would you like to know? This is how my lap usually looks.
My impression is that Stella is a very good breeder but she hints at the fact that there are bad breeders which we know but it is nice to see a breeder say it.
I’d like to know more about that area of the cat fancy so we can encourage improvements.
I praise Jo for arranging this interview. They can be tricky to arrange it seems to me.