There are 12 Maine Coon breeders in the UK who are members of the GCCF Breeder Scheme

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It should interest people who want to adopt a Maine Coon in the UK that there are 12 Maine Coon breeders in the country who are members of the GCCF Breeder Scheme. The GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy) is the number one cat association in the UK. It was established as an independent body in 1910. They declare that the health and welfare of cats bred by their members are at the heart of everything they do.

Maine Coon kittens (tabbies)
Maine Coon kittens (tabbies). Image in the public domain. I love their faces especially the guy on the right.

It is nice to read that. One of their main aims is to encourage responsible breeding of pedigree cats. In light of that objective, they have their "Breeder Scheme". They modified how the scheme worked quite recently, in April 2021. They consulted with the Kennel Club.

The scheme lays down minimum requirements that breeders must adhere to if they wish to be members such as the size of the cattery, runs, lighting and heating and suitable requirements for queens and kittens (what about the stud!). They operate an inspection process. They advise people to inspect a breeder's facilities themselves. That I think is always good advice.

Personally, I would not buy a Maine Coon cat online without seeing the kittens, the mother and the facilities beforehand. It lets you give the kittens a chance to select you and it removes the chance of being scammed or tricked. Ask questions about pedigree.

The new scheme was launched on January 1st, 2023 and it is currently being rolled out because of the inclusion of the new inspection and assessment process. You can read about it in more detail by visiting the relevant page on their website which also lists the various criteria in some detail that breeders must comply with.

GCCF Maine Coon breeder members set out on a map
GCCF Maine Coon breeder members set out on a map.

They have an attached page with a map which lists members of the scheme. It is an interactive map. The map above is a screenshot from it and is not interactive.

There are 12 Maine Coon breeders listed on this map. That's not a lot seems to me. There are no Maine Coon breeders under the scheme who are located in Ireland or Northern Ireland. There are only two listed in the south of England below the M4.

In the center of England there are four breeders and, in the North, including Scotland there are six, with one being north of Aberdeen in Scotland.

Good luck. Always take your time in buying a Maine Coon kitten as ownership will change your life and it is for the life of the cat.

Location: United Kingdom

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