Who Are We?

I realize that people are wondering who is behind the curtain.  It’s definitely not the Wizzard of OZ… So, who is Zia Maine Coons?  Well, there is more than one of us behind the curtain. So let me introduce you to the team…

First of all, I will introduce the hardworking silent one.  The one that likes the posts, and sometimes even comments on them.  She is a hardworking, animal loving, quiet and reserved co-owner of Zia Maine Coons.  Carrie Shows is her name, and she and I have been best friends for at least 15 years.  She lives 4 blocks from me, and she houses half of our female Maine Coons and 2 of our studs.  She helps with the finances and a lot of our  manual labor. Yes, there is manual labor that goes into building and maintaining a safe and clean Cattery.  

Carrie is way more than meets the eye. She was widowed young, and has held the business together that she and her late husband started. She is a business owner of “Show Rentals” here in Hobbs, New Mexico. She owns several commercial and residential properties, including a 20 door condominium complex.  She is a savvy business woman, and financial backer of our program.  She is also one of the most humble, generous, big hearted people on earth. She is president of a board of directors that run a program helping men with Alcohol and Drug Addiction.  She helps them find a decent place to live, and allows them the second chance many people would balk at.  So to say she is a busy person is an understatement, but she ALWAYS finds the time to care for our cats and kittens. She deserves all the best in life, and if you are ever lucky enough to meet her, you would agree with my words whole-heartedly.  

Next in line, my rock, best friend, and soul mate…My husband Gene.  He, like Carrie, is more of a silent partner.  Now that doesn’t mean he doesn’t work hard! Gene is the brawn of our operation. He is extremely handy and can figure out almost anything when it comes to construction and wood working.  He also has a “day job” as a “Program Director”.  

Gene loves animals and has a real knack at seeing where we can improve our facilities for our cats and kittens.  He makes sure all their bedding, storage space, litter box placements, and enhancement needs are met. He possesses lots of creativity and all the skill to back it up.  I am a very lucky woman! 

Then, there is me…Angela DeAnne Courter.  I am the marketing, communication, and technical person behind the scenes.  I do all of the research, acquisition of equipment, and communications.  I am a veteran of the USAF, and I work at helping veterans in our community through information and referral services.  My day job is “Facility Director” of the City of Hobbs Senior Recreation Facility.  But my passion is animals and the great outdoors.

I have always had animals since birth.  My mother has bred dogs for as long as I can remember.  She still breeds Yorkies, even though she is almost 81 years old.  I am not a newbie to this lifestyle, and yes, breeding animals is a lifestyle! I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was a child, and I thought the USAF could help me pay for college, but life went in a different direction…and here I am.  

Zia Maine Coons is made up of these parts…The finance, the brawn, and the brain.  None of us could take on this task without the others.  We are not just a team, but a family.  Our cats are our family.  We take the hobby of breeding very seriously, and will always put the animals welfare first and foremost.  We focus on health, temperament, and structure of the breed, in that order.  

We are so happy to be part of this BIG and WONDERFUL community of other breeders.  It’s really a very rewarding hobby when you get to watch a fellow breeder show a kitten they bred successfully, or when you get to see the smiles on the new owners faces when they get to hold their new fur-baby for the first time.  And getting to communicate with our followers and supporters, creating new content, allowing you all inside our homes, to witness all the love and fun we get to have…You all are part of our team!  Thank you for all your support and love.  

Stay Tuned…..