Starting a cattery is one of the most rewarding things you can do — and one of the most overwhelming if you don't know where to begin. There's no single manual, no onboarding process, no one to hand you a checklist. You figure it out, or you don't.
This is the roadmap I wish I had. Follow it in order and you'll avoid the most common beginner mistakes.
Step 1: Decide What You're Actually Building
Before you buy a single cat, answer this question honestly: are you building a hobby or a business?
There's no wrong answer — but there are very different paths. A hobby breeder produces a litter or two a year, covers costs, and enjoys the experience. A business breeder runs a structured program, health tests every breeding animal, maintains a waitlist, and treats it like the enterprise it is.
This guide is written for people who want to build a real business. If that's you, keep reading.
Step 2: Choose Your Breed and Study It Deeply
If you're reading this, you've probably already chosen Maine Coons — great choice. But "choosing a breed" isn't just picking the one you love. It means:
- Understanding the breed standard inside and out
- Learning the genetic health risks (HCM, hip dysplasia, SMA for Maine Coons)
- Knowing the difference between European and American lines
- Understanding coat genetics — especially if you want to specialize (black smoke, polydactyl, etc.)
- Connecting with established breeders who can mentor you
The breeders who produce the best kittens are the ones who never stop learning about their breed.
Step 3: Register with TICA
TICA (The International Cat Association) is the gold standard for pedigreed cat registration. Here's what you need to do:
- Create an account at tica.org
- Register as a breeder member
- Choose and register your cattery name (it must be unique — check availability first)
- Register your breeding cats under your cattery prefix
Your cattery name is your brand. Choose something memorable, professional, and easy to spell. It will appear on every pedigree you ever produce.
Step 4: Health Test Before You Breed
This is non-negotiable for ethical breeding. For Maine Coons, the minimum health testing before any breeding should include:
- HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) echo: Annual cardiac ultrasound by a board-certified cardiologist
- Hip X-rays: Evaluated through OFA or PennHIP
- SMA genetic test: One-time DNA test (Maine Coon-specific)
- PKD genetic test: One-time DNA test
- FIV/FeLV: Annual bloodwork
Health testing is expensive. Budget for it. It's also your biggest marketing asset — buyers pay premium prices for kittens from health-tested parents.
Step 5: Set Up Your Business Infrastructure
Before your first litter, you need:
- A business name and brand: Your cattery name, a logo, a consistent color palette
- A website: Even a simple one. Buyers Google you before they contact you.
- A contract: A real, written kitten purchase agreement. Get a template from a breeder attorney or established cattery.
- A waitlist system: A form, a deposit process, a welcome email
- A record-keeping system: Health records, pedigrees, buyer information — organized from day one
AI tools can help you build almost all of this from your phone. That's what the rest of this blog is about.
Step 6: Find Your Foundation Cats
Your breeding program is only as good as your foundation animals. When acquiring breeding cats:
- Buy from TICA-registered breeders with health-tested lines
- Ask for full pedigrees going back at least 4 generations
- Request all health testing documentation
- Visit in person if possible — see how the cats are raised
- Get breeding rights in writing
Don't cut corners here. Your foundation cats determine the quality of every kitten you ever produce.
Step 7: Plan Your First Litter Carefully
Before breeding, make sure you have:
- A vet experienced with cats (ideally feline-only or feline-focused)
- A whelping kit ready
- A quiet, safe space for the queen to give birth
- A plan for socialization (weeks 2-12 are critical)
- A waitlist with deposits before the kittens are born
That last point is important: never breed without a waitlist. Kittens without homes lined up before birth create stress, financial pressure, and bad decisions.
The Bottom Line
Starting a cattery is a long game. The breeders who succeed are the ones who treat it seriously from day one — the health testing, the record keeping, the brand building, the buyer relationships.
The good news: AI tools have made the business side dramatically easier. You can build a brand, a website, a waitlist system, and a marketing strategy from your phone in a fraction of the time it used to take.
That's exactly what this series teaches. Start here, then work through the rest of the blog.