Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have kittens available?
Please head over to our Current Litters tab and check for kitten's statuses. Make sure to check our website regularly or follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay updated with our plans, pregnancies and kitten news.
Can you add me to a waiting list?
We don't keep a waiting list anymore but it's important for us to get to know any prospective new owner ahead of time. Our aim is to place our kittens only to best homes where they will be loved and spoiled. Please send us an e-mail with a short introduction or contact us via our Facebook Page if you would like to be considered for one of our kittens.
How can I reserve a kitten?
The kitten application form needs to be filled in first and submitted for approval prior to kitten reservation. The kitten application form can be found on Kittens tab of our website, however it will remain hidden unless we have kittens available.
Kittens will be released from our evaluation and listed as available in our Current Litters tab from around 8 weeks of age.
We reserve the right to approve or deny any prospective new owners at our discretion.
Once approved for a kitten of your choice, we will send you a confirmation e-mail with our contract for a review.
The non-refundable reservation deposit will be due within 48 hours. In this time frame, you can ask us any further questions you might have and request additional photos or videos of the kitten. Once payment is received, the kitten is officially reserved.
What is the price of Maine Coon kitten?
In South Africa, prices of pure bred Maine Coon kittens from ethical breeders can range between R8 500 - R10 000.
Please remember the purchase price is just the beginning of your expenses, as your annual maintenance cost (good quality food, vet care, toys, grooming, accessories etc.) will end up much higher.
We do not charge differently for genders or colours. Our kitten cost is currently R 9500 . Reservation fee is R 4 500 and the balance is due by 12 weeks of kitten's age.
Anyone charging less than current going rate is most probably a scammer or back yard breeder, so please do your research properly. If the cost is too good to be true, it usually is.
Do you screen your breeding cats for genetic issues?
Yes. All of our breeding cats have been DNA tested for breed specific genetic health diseases - namely Hypertrophic Cardio Myopathy (HCM), Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKDef).
What kind of healthcare will my kitten receive?
All of our cats and kittens are being cared for, when required, by our trusted veterinarian Dr Bebbington from Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital in Newlands. Kittens will receive full health physical examination, age appropriate vaccinations,
de-wormer and will be neutered / spayed.
Kittens will also be micro-chipped and the chip will be registered with new owner's details.
At what age can kittens leave?
Kittens will be ready to leave to new homes sometime between 14-16 weeks. This time frame is absolutely not negotiable as it's in the best interest of each kitten to ensure proper socialization and good health.
In a rare but possible case of a kitten reacting badly to the vaccination or having a complication after the neuter / spay, the pick up date will be delayed accordingly. The good health and well-being of our kittens will always remain a priority.
Do you fly kittens to other provinces or other countries?
Yes, we have been flying kittens to other provinces using BidAir Cargo PetLounge. We will book the flight and organize the transport to the airport in Cape Town but the travel and carrier hire cost are your responsibility and are due prior to kitten's departure.
Currently we don't export our kittens to other countries. We prefer to keep our kittens locally.
Can we come for a visit and meet your cats?
For the safety and health of our cats, kittens and our family, Dark Moon is a closed cattery. We don't offer or accept stud services and don't allow any visitors (with the exception of scheduled kitten pick-up) into our home. All of our approved new owners will receive weekly updates with photos or videos via WhatsApp or Messenger. Video call prior to kitten reservation can be arranged so you can meet us and the kitten.
Can I have a "Giant" Maine Coon kitten?
No, our kittens are not lion cubs, they are average size Maine Coon kittens. Maine Coons are known to be one of the biggest breeds of domesticated cats, but they don't all grow to 10+ kg. There is absolutely no way anyone can predict the size that the kitten will reach in adulthood, and although genetics do play a role here, it still doesn't mean the kitten will take after the parent. On average, males are bigger than females and being slow growers, Maine Coons only reach maturity around 4 years of age. As per many world cat registries, the size of a fully grown male is on average between 7-9kg and the female's average is between 5-7kg. The size of a Maine Coon is based on height, length and weight combined - not on a weight only. Unfortunately more and more Maine Coons are lately being diagnosed with hip dysplasia which has a lot to do with cats being overweight, in many cases mainly due to the desire of creating a "Giant Maine Coon". All thanks to Google and its unrealistic manipulated images of "Giant Maine Coons". Photos are very deceiving and if the cat in the photo is really 15kg, it is overweight and most probably with double hip replacement. It's not natural for Maine Coons to be that big.
What do you feed your kittens and cats?
Cats are obligate carnivores which means their diet requires nutrients found only in animal flesh. While obligate carnivores might be able to ingest small amounts of plant matter, they lack the necessary physiology required to digest it. This leads to many health issues and it is the reason why our kittens and cats are fed exclusively with a nutritionally balanced raw diet.
Can I buy a kitten with breeding rights / unsterilised?
No. Although we might decide to offer breeding rights, it will be only to selected few breeders we are currently working with. These breeders share same passion and vision for the breed as well as our breeding ethics. In short, don't expect us to sell you unsterilised kitten if we've never met you and know nothing about you, your experience as a breeder or your goals.
All kittens will be neutered/ spayed prior to leaving to prevent unwanted pregnancies (it can happen as early as 4 months of age), minimize health risks (such as pyometra, dystocia or mammary carcinoma) and to reduce undesirable behavioral issues linked to unsterilised cats.
Please head over to our Current Litters tab and check for kitten's statuses. Make sure to check our website regularly or follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay updated with our plans, pregnancies and kitten news.
Can you add me to a waiting list?
We don't keep a waiting list anymore but it's important for us to get to know any prospective new owner ahead of time. Our aim is to place our kittens only to best homes where they will be loved and spoiled. Please send us an e-mail with a short introduction or contact us via our Facebook Page if you would like to be considered for one of our kittens.
How can I reserve a kitten?
The kitten application form needs to be filled in first and submitted for approval prior to kitten reservation. The kitten application form can be found on Kittens tab of our website, however it will remain hidden unless we have kittens available.
Kittens will be released from our evaluation and listed as available in our Current Litters tab from around 8 weeks of age.
We reserve the right to approve or deny any prospective new owners at our discretion.
Once approved for a kitten of your choice, we will send you a confirmation e-mail with our contract for a review.
The non-refundable reservation deposit will be due within 48 hours. In this time frame, you can ask us any further questions you might have and request additional photos or videos of the kitten. Once payment is received, the kitten is officially reserved.
What is the price of Maine Coon kitten?
In South Africa, prices of pure bred Maine Coon kittens from ethical breeders can range between R8 500 - R10 000.
Please remember the purchase price is just the beginning of your expenses, as your annual maintenance cost (good quality food, vet care, toys, grooming, accessories etc.) will end up much higher.
We do not charge differently for genders or colours. Our kitten cost is currently R 9500 . Reservation fee is R 4 500 and the balance is due by 12 weeks of kitten's age.
Anyone charging less than current going rate is most probably a scammer or back yard breeder, so please do your research properly. If the cost is too good to be true, it usually is.
Do you screen your breeding cats for genetic issues?
Yes. All of our breeding cats have been DNA tested for breed specific genetic health diseases - namely Hypertrophic Cardio Myopathy (HCM), Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKDef).
What kind of healthcare will my kitten receive?
All of our cats and kittens are being cared for, when required, by our trusted veterinarian Dr Bebbington from Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital in Newlands. Kittens will receive full health physical examination, age appropriate vaccinations,
de-wormer and will be neutered / spayed.
Kittens will also be micro-chipped and the chip will be registered with new owner's details.
At what age can kittens leave?
Kittens will be ready to leave to new homes sometime between 14-16 weeks. This time frame is absolutely not negotiable as it's in the best interest of each kitten to ensure proper socialization and good health.
In a rare but possible case of a kitten reacting badly to the vaccination or having a complication after the neuter / spay, the pick up date will be delayed accordingly. The good health and well-being of our kittens will always remain a priority.
Do you fly kittens to other provinces or other countries?
Yes, we have been flying kittens to other provinces using BidAir Cargo PetLounge. We will book the flight and organize the transport to the airport in Cape Town but the travel and carrier hire cost are your responsibility and are due prior to kitten's departure.
Currently we don't export our kittens to other countries. We prefer to keep our kittens locally.
Can we come for a visit and meet your cats?
For the safety and health of our cats, kittens and our family, Dark Moon is a closed cattery. We don't offer or accept stud services and don't allow any visitors (with the exception of scheduled kitten pick-up) into our home. All of our approved new owners will receive weekly updates with photos or videos via WhatsApp or Messenger. Video call prior to kitten reservation can be arranged so you can meet us and the kitten.
Can I have a "Giant" Maine Coon kitten?
No, our kittens are not lion cubs, they are average size Maine Coon kittens. Maine Coons are known to be one of the biggest breeds of domesticated cats, but they don't all grow to 10+ kg. There is absolutely no way anyone can predict the size that the kitten will reach in adulthood, and although genetics do play a role here, it still doesn't mean the kitten will take after the parent. On average, males are bigger than females and being slow growers, Maine Coons only reach maturity around 4 years of age. As per many world cat registries, the size of a fully grown male is on average between 7-9kg and the female's average is between 5-7kg. The size of a Maine Coon is based on height, length and weight combined - not on a weight only. Unfortunately more and more Maine Coons are lately being diagnosed with hip dysplasia which has a lot to do with cats being overweight, in many cases mainly due to the desire of creating a "Giant Maine Coon". All thanks to Google and its unrealistic manipulated images of "Giant Maine Coons". Photos are very deceiving and if the cat in the photo is really 15kg, it is overweight and most probably with double hip replacement. It's not natural for Maine Coons to be that big.
What do you feed your kittens and cats?
Cats are obligate carnivores which means their diet requires nutrients found only in animal flesh. While obligate carnivores might be able to ingest small amounts of plant matter, they lack the necessary physiology required to digest it. This leads to many health issues and it is the reason why our kittens and cats are fed exclusively with a nutritionally balanced raw diet.
Can I buy a kitten with breeding rights / unsterilised?
No. Although we might decide to offer breeding rights, it will be only to selected few breeders we are currently working with. These breeders share same passion and vision for the breed as well as our breeding ethics. In short, don't expect us to sell you unsterilised kitten if we've never met you and know nothing about you, your experience as a breeder or your goals.
All kittens will be neutered/ spayed prior to leaving to prevent unwanted pregnancies (it can happen as early as 4 months of age), minimize health risks (such as pyometra, dystocia or mammary carcinoma) and to reduce undesirable behavioral issues linked to unsterilised cats.