Why So Expensive?

Just recently I was in the middle of a debate regarding the different prices of “Purebred” Maine Coons and the difference between “Reputable Breeder” vs. “Backyard Breeder”.  These two phrases get thrown around a lot, and so does the question “Why so expensive?”  So, today I figured I would share some facts and some thoughts on this subject.

First, lets tackle the differences between a reputable breeder and a backyard breeder.  A reputable breeder is a responsible and conscientious breeder who believes in the betterment of the breed.  They want to breed for, not just the looks or popular color of their chosen breed, but also (and most importantly) for the health, genetics, structure, bloodline, and temperament of the kittens they ultimately put out into the world for others to raise and enjoy.  This means they do comprehensive testing through DNA, Cardiologist Echoes, Hip X-rays (this is for Maine Coons) and research pedigrees to check for inbreeding percentages.  All of these things are so very important in keeping the breed healthy and viable for future generations. And…all of these things also cost money.  So a responsible breeder is definitely not just trying to make a “quick buck”.

A so called “Backyard Breeder” (I have a hard time putting the name breeder with this one) is someone who buys a purebred animal from a  breeder, and instead of getting the animal sterilized like the contract he signed states, he decides to breed this animal without papers, so he can make a quick buck.  By the way, this is thievery, because this person did not buy breeding rights for this kitten. I breed Maine Coons, so of course, this is all the examples I will give. 

“A nice family wants a Maine Coon, but was not ready for the expense of a well bred animal.  They had their heart set on owning a Maine Coon because they saw how big they get on TikTok.  Then they happen upon a backyard breeder who is selling kittens for half the price, or less, of all the reputable breeders. However, this kitten has no papers, pedigree, or registration.  The parents of this kitten have not had any genetic testing, and there is no pedigree to prove this kitten is “Purebred”. The new owner is ecstatic at finding a “Purebred” Maine Coon for only $950!!  So, they buy it, and fall madly in love with this little ball of fur.  Unfortunately, this family got scammed.  They did not do their due diligence in selecting a reputable breeder.  They didn’t know that Maine Coons have a risk of HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), so they did not ask the breeder for test results.  Within two years, this beautiful kitten passed away from the heart issue, HCM.  The family was devastated!!  They contacted the “breeder”, but because there was no contract, no DNA results, there was nothing they could do.  They were scammed out of $950 by a backyard breeder.” **(This is a true story by the way)**

Now, having made the distinction between the two types of “breeders”, we can go into why they are so expensive….

Providing families with a well-bred, not just purebred, animal is an expensive venture.  You have to first buy your breeding cats as kittens. Along with paying for breeding rights and transportation, they can cost $6000-$10,000 each.  Then you have to provide this kitten with the highest quality food, litter, toys, housing, bedding, veterinary care, DNA genetic testing, Heart Echocardiograms, hip x-rays (and you have to do this for each breeding cat). So if  a breeder wants to own 3 females and 1 male to breed, they have to spend $50,000-$75,000 in the first year. A breeder should not breed these kittens for at least 12-16 months from the time they get them. So all of this money is upfront, before the breeder ever has a kitten for sale.  Then when they do begin to breed and have kittens, there is even more expense.  

Each kitten that breeder has will be in their house for 12-16 weeks.  In that time, the breeder has to buy milk supplements, bottles and nipples, incubators, vet visits for wellness and vaccinations, etc…Then we can go into how much the breeders time is worth. This is not a sit down and watch all the kittens play all the time type of job. No, this takes hours and hours everyday cleaning litter boxes, feeding, giving meds, sweep, mop, disinfecting, etc…Then there is the marketing side, where a breeder answers phones and up to 60-80 messages a day, taking new pictures, posting to all the social media, and updating the website. We have to add in the business side of it now, the finances, the contracts, the computer ink and paper, the appointments, the travel, on and on…and I’m sure I have missed some things in there…

So, when it is all said and done, we are lucky to break even with our “expensive” prices.  Inflation in the last couple of years has eaten us alive, but we still want to provide quality pets to some fortunate families that look for reputable breeders, and their payoff is having a gorgeous, purebred, well-bred, healthy member of their family for years to come.  So there you have the answer to “WHY SO EXPENSIVE?”.  

Happy Birthday America!!