How to Adopt a Maine Coon in the United States | PetzLover

Pet for Adoption7 min read
A family meeting an adult Maine Coon at an animal shelter

To adopt a Maine Coon in the United States, apply to a breed rescue such as Maine Coon Rescue, a local shelter or an owner's adoption listing, then expect references, an interview and a home or video check before you sign the adoption agreement and pay the fee. At Maine Coon Rescue, a nationwide volunteer group, fees for Maine Coons and Maine Coon mixes run from $200 to $450 and include spay or neuter, vaccines, an FeLV/FIV test and a microchip.

Adopting is also the easiest way to get an adult Maine Coon whose full size, coat and personality you can see before you commit. This guide covers where to look, how the process works, what to ask about health and how to help a big cat settle in.

Key points

  • Breed rescues, shelters and owner listings all place Maine Coons; rescues usually include spay or neuter, vaccines, testing and a microchip in the fee.
  • Expect an application, a phone interview, calls to your references, landlord and vet, and sometimes a home or video visit.
  • An adult Maine Coon has finished growing, which can take up to three years, so you know its size and temperament.
  • Ask about the heart, hips, teeth and walking: HCM, hip dysplasia, gum disease and SMA are known in the breed.
  • Never pay an adoption fee plus shipping to a group or person you have not checked.

Where can you adopt a Maine Coon?

Ways to adopt a Maine Coon in the US
SourceHow it worksGood to know
Breed rescueMaine Coon Rescue places cats from volunteer foster homes across the USAdopts within the lower 48 states; $85 transport fee unless you drive halfway
Shelter or humane societyCats housed on site or in foster care, often including Maine Coon mixesFees and what they cover vary by shelter
Owner adoption listingA private owner places a cat directlyYou hear the cat's full history from the person who knows it

You can search Maine Coons for adoption on PetzLover, filter by location, and save the search to get alerts when a new cat is listed. Alerts let you hear about a new cat as soon as it is listed. Owners sometimes give cats away with no fee; see how to get a free Maine Coon safely for the extra checks that route needs.

How does Maine Coon rescue adoption work?

Maine Coon Rescue describes a process that is typical of foster-based breed rescues:

  1. Choose a cat from the current listings; the rescue keeps no waiting list.
  2. Submit the online application.
  3. A case manager phones you for a first screening.
  4. The case manager speaks to you, a personal reference, your landlord if you rent, and your veterinarian.
  5. A home visit or a virtual video visit may be required.
  6. The rescue committee votes; if approved, you sign the adoption agreement, pay the fee and collect the cat from its foster home.

Shelters often move faster, sometimes the same day. Answer questions honestly: rescues ask about work hours, other pets and children because a Maine Coon is a long commitment, with an average lifespan of about 13 years (PetMD). If you are placing a cat yourself, see how to list a Maine Coon for adoption.

How much does it cost to adopt a Maine Coon?

Maine Coon Rescue's published fees show how age and breed affect the price:

  • Purebred Maine Coon: $450 for kittens up to 1 year, $375 for young adults, $300 for adults of 7 to 9 years and $275 for seniors.
  • Maine Coon mix: $275 for kittens, $250 for adults and $200 for seniors.
  • Special needs cats: $200.
  • Discounts: $30 off for two cats, $50 off for seniors adopting a senior cat and $50 off for veterans and active-duty military.

The fee covers an FeLV/FIV test, rabies and FVRCP vaccines, wellness exams, flea and tick treatment, deworming, a microchip and spay or neuter. By comparison, Petful's 2026 guide puts pet-quality breeder kittens typically at $1,000 to $2,500. After adoption, the ASPCA estimates ordinary running costs for a cat at about $1,149 a year, before any breed-specific care.

Is an adult Maine Coon a good choice?

For many homes, yes. A Maine Coon can take up to three years to reach full size, and mature males can reach or exceed 20 pounds, so a kitten's adult size is a guess while an adult's is a fact. CFA describes the breed as sociable, easy to train and good with children and other animals, yet fairly independent.

  • Kittens need play, supervision and early grooming practice.
  • Adults suit families with children or other pets, because their temperament is known.
  • Seniors are often calm and affectionate; ask about heart, joint and dental history.
  • Maine Coon mixes may share some of the look and usually cost less to adopt.

Whatever the age, plan on combing two or three times a week, two or three play sessions a day and a sturdy cat tree. If an owner is rehoming an adult directly, read taking in a rehomed Maine Coon.

What health questions should you ask before you adopt a Maine Coon?

  • Heart: has a vet heard a murmur, or has the cat had an echocardiogram? Cornell's Feline Health Center lists the Maine Coon among breeds more prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and many affected cats look healthy.
  • Hips: does it jump and climb freely? A 2018 study of OFA records found hip dysplasia in 24.9% of graded Maine Coons.
  • Walking: spinal muscular atrophy causes a swaying gait and weak hind legs from about 3 to 4 months. It is not painful, and many affected cats live comfortably indoors, so an SMA cat can still be a good fit for a calm home.
  • Teeth: PetMD notes gum disease in the breed can start as early as 6 months; ask about past dental work.
  • Coat: has it needed shaving for mats, and how does it react to combing?

How do you help an adopted Maine Coon settle in?

An adopted Maine Coon resting in a cat bed in its new home
  • Prepare one quiet room with food, water, a hiding place, a scratching post and a litter box big enough for a large cat.
  • Let the cat come to you; many cats hide for the first days.
  • Introduce other pets slowly, with scent swapping before short supervised meetings.
  • Start short combing sessions once it is relaxed; CFA suggests 5 to 10 minutes, two or three times a week.
  • Book a vet visit in the first week or two, bring the adoption records and update the microchip with your details.
  • Keep it indoors while it settles, and give it climbing space; PetMD suggests a sturdy cat tree at least 6 feet tall.

If you would rather start with a kitten from a breeder, how to buy a Maine Coon kitten covers the health tests to ask for.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to adopt a Maine Coon?

At Maine Coon Rescue, fees run from $200 for senior mixes and special needs cats to $450 for purebred kittens. The fee includes spay or neuter, vaccines, an FeLV/FIV test and a microchip. Shelter fees vary, so ask what is included.

Are there Maine Coon rescues in the US?

Yes. Maine Coon Rescue is a nationwide volunteer group that places cats from foster homes in the lower 48 states. Local shelters and humane societies also take in Maine Coons and mixes, and some owners list cats for adoption directly.

How long does it take to adopt a Maine Coon from a rescue?

Expect several steps: application, phone screening, reference checks with your landlord and vet, sometimes a home or video visit, and a committee decision. Shelters are often quicker. Ask about the timeline when you apply.

Can I adopt a Maine Coon kitten?

Yes. Maine Coon Rescue charges $450 for purebred kittens and $275 for mix kittens. Saving a search for Maine Coon adoption listings helps you hear about new kittens early.

Is an adopted Maine Coon good with children?

CFA describes the breed as good with children and other animals. An adult's temperament is already known, so ask the foster or owner how it reacts to handling, noise and visitors.

Do I need a home visit to adopt a Maine Coon?

Often. Maine Coon Rescue says a home visit or a virtual video visit may be required, and many rescues also call your landlord and vet. Shelters vary, so ask when you apply.