Aoi Neko is a small hobby cattery located 60 miles South of Seattle, Washington in the beautiful Puget Sound area of the Pacific Northwest.

My Maine Coon cattery is registered with both The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA) and the very newly established.

My Maine Coon kittens are typically registered through TICA, simply because I predominantly show my cats in that particular cat fancy.

My cattery is named in honor of my mother, who was from Japan and my first Maine Coon, which was a blue silver mackerel tabby. As I think back even further, my very first cat ever, though not a Maine Coon, was a domestic long haired, solid blue boy, found in a shed. So my cattery name, is also in honor of my love of blue cats.

Aoi Neko (pronounced Owie Neck Oh) is Japanese for Blue Cat.

I strive to breed cats that are  healthy, happy, within the breed standard. I produce many dilutes and silvers. and occasionally other colors.  Health is never compromised over for color or breed standard.  

While no breeder can guarantee length of lifespan, there are some things I commit to for the continued health of my cattery.

Health Screening:

• Prior to Breeding DNA test to ensure they are free from:
  • MYBPC3 gene associated with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
  • the genetic defect of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
  • homozygosity for Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PK-Def). 

In some instances, DNA testing is not necessary, if the parents are free from these genetic defects.  That is where you may see DNA Clear by parentage.

• Hip Dysplasia Screening.  Hip x-rays are taken and sent to PawPeds for evaluation when age appropriate.  

Additionally,  cats in  the breeding program are continually screened by echocardiogram  by a board certified veterinary cardiologist to be clear of HCM.  

Also, while my goal is to also have cats 100% clear for Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PK-Def), a carrier may be used on occasion.  PK-Def is a disease that may ONLY manifest if a cat is Homozygous for the gene.

Showing: 

Showing my cats helps me maintain my focus on the breed standard.  I show my cats in the TICA Northwest Region mostly in Washington State, Oregon and occasionally, Canada. If you find yourself at a TICA show in the area, drop by and say hello.

Selecting an ethical breeder:

Maine Coons originate in the United States. There are many breeders overseas who are doing their utmost to maintain and preserve the traditional Maine Coon.  There are some however, that promote the “European Maine Coon”.  Many new breeders are importing from any cattery overseas willing to sell them breeding rights, without profound knowledge of the breed health, proper breed standard or understanding pedigrees and inbreeding coefficients.   

If I can leave you with some advice as you navigate  your search for your next kitten or cat.

• Slow down and take the time to research the breed and the breeder to ensure you receive the best opportunity to acquire a healthy, life long companion. 
• Make sure your breeders is doing more than just DNA testing to screen for genetic disorders.  If claiming a cat is DNA clear by parentage, they should be able to show the tests performed on the parents.
• Ask if they routinely echo the cats in their breeding program and how often they do this.
• Ask to see proof!
• Ask if they hip screen for hip dysplaysia.  If so, how is this done and do they submit it for grading with any organization?

My personal preference is to use PawPeds, which uses the same doctor doing the evaluations and the results are directly loaded into their database without bias.  In other words, I cannot elect for them to be hidden.  Other breeders use OFA, PENN  Hip, and some just allow their vets to screen.  Regardless of the method, screening should be conducted and dysplastic cats should not be bred.

Finally, I’d consider asking how many litters are produced each year.  Some of my peers may find this offensive, however in my humble opinion, Most preservation breeders limit the number of litters produced, because this a labor of love and not a business.

Nothing can guarantee you will obtain a perfect cat that will live until it’s late teens (they are sentient beings after all).  Breeders have a responsibility to do the best they can to make sure their program is and remains healthy.

Thank you for stopping by my  page. 

I realize the wait is from me is ridiculously long since I only have 1 or 2 litters each year.  Sometimes every other year! 

My hope is you find the information here useful and that you find that purrfect Maine Coon to join your family.

You can also follow the cats on social media.  Photos are often posted on Instagram #aoinekomc and on Facebook.