25 Cute Cat Caretakers Convince A Maine Coon Maniac To Go From Shopaholic To Adoptoholic With Heartwarming Stories

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jan 30, 2024 1:00 PM EST

We've all heard the term 'adopt, don't shop', but what does it really mean? There are lots of cats out there in the world, each one of them deserving a good home. We hold no judgment for people who buy their cats from breeders, but it's not really like it is with dogs where each dog breed has a different kind of temperament. All cats are just cats, just some are floofier than others. When you pay for a pedigree, you're mostly paying for an aesthetic. Don't get us wrong, we love ourselves a fluffy Persian cat, but there are lots of homeless kitties who are just as cute that need your help too!

One cat pawrent took to Reddit to ask people's thoughts and opinions about adopting vs. shopping because they really wanted to get a Maine Coon. The response was overwhelmingly pawsitive towards finding one or a similar one for adoption, and they did it with love. You should probably get some tissues ready for after all these heartwarming adoption stories!

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  • 01
    What is your take on breeds vs adopting from a shelter?
    via u/WorldlyValuable7679
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 9872301312
    via u/WorldlyValuable7679

    Look at the variety of colors on this standard issue cat - you could never get this kind of beauty from a breeder! Yes, Maine Coons and Abyssinians are beautiful cats, but the breed doesn't affect their purrsonality so much. They're all still cats on the inside!

  • 03
    Cheezburger Image 9872301568
    via u/WorldlyValuable7679
  • 04
    Now, to preface, I think a lot of people can agree that adoption from a shelter is the more altruistic choice. I have two shelter babies that I love more than anything in the whole world. But recently I've been thinking about eventually adopting another and I LOVE mainecoons. They're the closest I can get to living with a bobcat.. which I would do if I could lol. Have any of you gone through the different adoption processes? Was it worth it to own a unique breed? Any of you own a mainecoon befor
    via u/WorldlyValuable7679

    We have our own purrsonal opinions on breeding animals in general, but we'll save that for another time. All of our cats came to us through the cat distribution system, AKA they found their way to our front porch and we adopted them. Cats can choose you, also!

  • 05
    EnricoMatassaEsq. 1 day ago My most recent adoption was a senior. I knew seniors have a harder time getting adopted and when I saw his face the thought of him being in a shelter after 11 years of being someone's buddy absolutely broke my heart. I've vowed any new adoptions will be from the "harder to place" categories.
    via u/EnricoMatassaEsq
  • 06
    BrockenSpecter. 2 days ago All cats deserve love and affection regardless of where they come from. But, if we are to treat this like Triage, then the cats who are at risk of being killed, or abused, or eaten should be what we focus on taking care of, the same goes for other animals and people. The most vulnerable come first. 2.1k Reply Share
    via u/BrockenSpecter
  • 07
    popzelda 2 days ago . I have one shelter cat that's the sweetest creature on earth and another pedigreed cat that was a gift. They are both sweet and I love them dearly. In the future, I will always go with shelter cats.
    via u/popzelda
  • 08
    imamakebaddecisions 1 day ago I only get cats when they show up at my house and ask to be let in.
    via u/imamakebaddecisions
  • 09
    Wise Bet_9054 - 2 days ago Lots of Maine Coon adjacent looking cats in the shelter and at rescues. Trust me - I have been volunteering with my local rescue for 4 years and LOTS of floofs coming through there.
    via u/Wise_Bet_9054
  • 10
    Meg_119 2 days ago I adopted all of my kitties from a shelter. No regrets. Many are euthanized if not adopted.
    via u/Meg_119
  • 11
    ToasterOwl 1 day ago . Same, my best girl had been in shelter nearly a year before I took her. She was so close to being let go. Not a second of regret, I'm so glad we found each other. She really was the sweetest, gentlest little cat.
    via u/ToasterOwl
  • 12
    poshman28 2 days ago All my cats just showed up at my house over the years and they are all very happy
    via u/poshman28
  • 13
    MediumPeteWrigley 2 days ago I have a Siamese and a Ragdoll, both are considered "fancy" breed here. My cats came from a rehoming centre, having been rescued from breeders in an absolute state.
    via u/MediumPeteWrigley
  • 14
    NEXUSX 2 days ago There a so many amazing unwanted cats in shelters. Yeah, cats like Maincoons are cool looking but it's really more like picking an accessory if you're going on looks and rarity alone.
    via u/NEXUSX
  • 15
    OttersAreCute215 2 days ago I'm all for rescue cats.
    via u/OttersAreCute215
  • 16
    griffonfarm 2 days ago I have 2 maine coons, an oriental shorthair, and a bunch of domestic shorthairs that I adopted from shelters/rescues or rescued from the local feral colony that couldn't be rehomed for medical or behavior reasons. The 2 maine coons aren't like bobcats. They're just bigger versions of the other cats. One came from a kill-shelter and the other was a runt that the breeder couldn't sell and didn't want to keep. The oriental shorthair came from a friend's rescue and is a handfu
    via u/griffonfarm
  • 17
    grimvard 2 days ago Every cat will love you. If you need a companion, any cat will give you the love you need. So shelters. All the time.
    via u/grimvard
  • 18
    Admirable-Sink-2622 2 days ago Always the shelter - unless your primary criteria is impressing people - in which case I'd say neither
    via u/Admirable-Sink-2622
  • 19
    the-real-n00b - 1 day ago . I found my baby abandoned in the woods. 21 years with this beautiful boy. Thank you cat distribution system. A note
    via u/the-real-n00b
  • 20
    AStreamofParticles 2 days ago I would always adopt. Sure I love rag dolls, Siamese & Maine Coons - but I also literally love every cat with a friendly nature. Every cat is an individual too - so your always adopting an animal you'll have a unique relationship with! Let the universe bring me my cat!
    via u/AStreamofParticles
  • 21
    Adept_Ad_473 · 1 day ago FWIW I skipped both and plucked mine right off the streets. I thank my lucky stars every day. Personally, I will never go to a breeder. Shelter 100%
    via u/Adept_Ad_473
  • 22
    blueViolet26 2 days ago Always shelter or strays cats. I want to save lives. Not bring more to the world when so many are still being killed.
    via u/blueViolet26
  • 23
    brytewolf 1 day ago If you want a specific breed, and also want to adopt a cat that needs a home. Go with a rescue cat. There are specific breed rescues you can look into. I got my boy from a rescue that specializes in Persians (shout out to South Texas Persian Rescue! XD), but he is a purebred Scottish Fold. I got the looks I wanted, as well as the sweetest most loving boy who understands that he was rescued and I love him so much.
    via u/brytewolf
  • 24
    BlinkSpectre. 2 days ago Adoption saves lives. No judgement for people who go to breeders but I can't justify paying a breeder when I can get a cat in need at the shelter. Plus breeding can be sketchy.
    via u/BlinkSpectre
  • 25
    tuxypantherette · 1 day ago . See this gorgeous girl? She's a shelter cat. You just never know what you might find there.
    via u/tuxypantherette
  • 26
    Salsieann 1 day ago . We got lucky and got this beautiful boy via rescue! He's not a pure breed but he sure is pretty.
    via u/Salsieann
  • 27
    . -pumpkin-cat- 2 days ago Always shelter. I worked at an animal rescue and the cats were amazing. I think there are too many unloved cats in the world to breed a bunch for profit. I feel like most breeders nowadays aren't ethical and they're only in it for the money. Shelters are overran with animals that deserve loving homes. My exs mom spent 2000 on a mainecoon, and she is the type of person to do that just to show how rich she was and use it as an accessory.
    via u/. -pumpkin-cat-

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aww adopt adorable adoption heartwarming maine coon cute cute cats adopted cat owners Cats animals shopping
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