|
...to Shastacoons!
We are a small, home-based cattery located in Northern California. Our
goal is to breed healthy, beautiful Maine Coons of excellent
temperament and type. Our breeding cats are screened for HCM at the
appropriate age. Cardiac ultrasound is currently the recommended
method to identify early warning signs of HCM, the most common heart
disease in both domestic and pedigreed cats. Even with careful
screening, no breeder can guarantee that their cats are free from this
condition, but we do our best to minimize the risk. We have also done
DNA testing on all our breeding cats for the
MYBPC3 gene
mutation associated with HCM.
|
|
 |
|
We live out in
the country, where the kitties can
enjoy squirrel and bird watching from the windows. "We" are Dan
Harvey, Lisa Beazizo-Harvey, and our son, Pete. I have always had cats
and love them dearly. When I met Danny, he wasn't too sure about cats.
He had just never known one personally! He is now an avid Maine Coon
"proud dad" and carries pictures in his wallet. When Pete was very
small, he really thought our household pets were his brothers and
sisters!
I became intrigued
with Maine Coons years ago when I was a veterinary assistant in
Bandon, Oregon, where I met my first Maine, a male named Solstice - he
was the neatest cat! I went to my first show in the early 90's in
Springfield, Oregon and met Sharon Polstin of Bnyfls Maine Coons.
Eventually, we bought our first Maine Coon "Chinook" from her. Sharon
agreed to mentor us as breeders. We thank Sharon and Wayne for all the
wonderful advice they gave!
ShastaCoons is
registered in
TICA
& CFA and is an
MCBFA Breeder Member.
History and
Characteristics:
The Maine Coon is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America.
They are the official Maine State Cat. There are many legends about
the breed. One such belief is that there were matings between the
semi-wild domestic cat and raccoons (this is biologically impossible).
Another belief is that Marie Antoinette sent her six pet cats to Maine
when she was planning to escape during the French Revolution and they
mated with the local cats in Maine.
Maine Coons are fascinated with water, often use their paws like a
hand, (they will pick up food with their paws to eat it), and keep you
busy playing "fetch". They do not hang on you, but would rather be
near you. If you shut the door to the bathroom, you will find them
patiently lying in front of the door waiting for you to emerge. They
rarely "meow," instead make a chirping-trill sound.
Maine Coons are a large breed. Males commonly weigh 13-18 lbs. and
females about 9-12 lbs. They are a muscular cat with tufted ears and
feet, a shaggy coat that generally requires weekly combing, a square
muzzle, rectangular body, and a huge, long, bushy tail. They come in
all colors, except the "pointed" types. Coat patterns include classic
tabby, mackerel tabby, patched tabby, and solids, with or without
white.
To view pictures of our pedigreed Maine Coon ancestors, please visit
the
Maine Coon Ancestors and Breeders
web site.
|
