Your Questions, Answered

A Velvet Claw is a Maine Coon cattery dedicated to raising healthy, well-socialized, pedigreed Maine Coon kittens in a loving home environment. We focus on responsible breeding, health testing, proper socialization, and preparing each kitten for a smooth transition into their forever home.

We also offer luxury ground pet transportation for families who need safe, personalized delivery of their new companion.

A Velvet Claw is located in Montgomery County, Illinois. Our kittens are raised in our home as part of our family rather than in a traditional kennel environment.

Our Maine Coon kittens are $3,800 - $4,500. Pricing reflects the extensive care, health testing, veterinary care, socialization, quality nutrition, and time that goes into responsibly raising each kitten.

Yes. A deposit of $500 is required to reserve a kitten once you have been approved and have selected an available kitten. Deposit details and payment information will be provided during the reservation process. Joining our waitlist for a kitten is free.

Our kittens remain with their mother and littermates until they are developmentally ready to leave (12-16 weeks old). Maine Coon kittens benefit tremendously from this additional time, which supports proper social development, confidence, and healthy behavior.

Yes. The health of our cats and kittens is one of our highest priorities. Our breeding program incorporates breed-appropriate health screening and genetic testing to help reduce the risk of hereditary conditions associated with Maine Coons.

Our breeding program is registered with TICA & CFA. Registration information will be explained to families before bringing your kitten home.

Each kitten goes home with documentation and information to help make the transition into their new family as smooth as possible. Specific inclusions, veterinary records, registration paperwork, feeding information, and other items will be reviewed with the new family before pickup or delivery. We also include the current dry and wet food the kittens are eating for a smoother transition into your home.

Absolutely. Socialization is a major part of how we raise our kittens. They are handled, loved, played with, and exposed to normal household sights, sounds, routines, and interactions from an early age.

Our goal is to raise confident, affectionate Maine Coons that are prepared to become beloved members of their new families.

Yes. When kittens become available, approved families will have the opportunity to select according to our reservation process and availability.

We encourage families to consider personality and temperament in addition to color and appearance when choosing their kitten.

Yes. Families interested in a future A Velvet Claw kitten may contact us about upcoming litters and availability. Joining our list does not guarantee a particular color, sex, or kitten unless specifically stated in your reservation agreement.

Because our cattery is also our private home and the health of our cats and kittens is extremely important, visits are not permitted.

We are happy to provide families with photos, videos, updates, and other opportunities to watch their kitten grow.

We do not ship our kittens. Families may arrange pickup or inquire about our ground transportation options.

We believe transportation should be as safe, comfortable, and low-stress as possible for the kitten.

Yes. A Velvet Claw offers luxury ground pet transportation for families who cannot pick up their kitten personally. Transportation is arranged individually based on distance, location, scheduling, and the needs of the kitten.

Transportation fees are separate from the purchase price of the kitten.

Yes. Our ground pet transportation service is available separately from our cattery. Contact us with your pickup location, destination, animal information, and desired travel dates for availability and pricing.

Breeding rights are not automatically included with the purchase of an A Velvet Claw kitten. Any breeding placement would be considered separately and would require prior approval and a specific agreement.

No breeder can ethically guarantee exactly how a kitten will develop. Maine Coons mature slowly, and coat color, size, features, and personality can continue developing for several years.

We can share what we observe about each kitten and help families choose one that appears to be a good match.

Maine Coons are a large, slow-maturing breed, but adult size varies considerably based on genetics, sex, nutrition, and the individual cat.

We don’t promise a particular adult weight. Our priority is producing healthy Maine Coons rather than simply breeding for size.

Upcoming litters, births, and available kittens will be announced through the A Velvet Claw website and our social media pages.

Availability can change quickly, so families seriously interested in a kitten are encouraged to contact us early.

Start by contacting A Velvet Claw through our website. We’ll discuss what you’re looking for, answer your questions, and explain current or upcoming availability.

Once a kitten is available to you, we’ll walk you through the reservation process, deposit, contract, and next steps.

Absolutely! We know how exciting—and sometimes impossibly long—the wait can feel.

Families can expect photos, videos, and updates as their kitten grows so they can be part of those early weeks even before bringing their new family member home.

Please do. Our relationship with our families doesn’t end on go-home day.

We want our kittens to thrive in their new homes and encourage our families to stay in touch, share updates, celebrate milestones, and reach out when they have questions.

A Velvet Claw was created from a genuine love for the Maine Coon breed and a desire to raise exceptional kittens with health, temperament, and responsible breeding at the center of everything we do.

Our kittens are not simply raised to be sold—they are raised to become someone’s family.