Moosecoons Maine Coons in Maryland Susan Blevins Not a good breeder Internet
I found Susan Blevins of Moosecoons cattery from an internet search. She was CFA registered. We contracted to buy a kitten from her cattery for $800. I sent her a $400 check for the deposit. She required $400 in cash at pick up.
She is not a good breeder or ethical business person. I feel she's running a kitten mill based on the number of litters she advertises. She was hard to deal with when I wanted a full refund after I returned the kitten to her within three days of picking her up.
The prep for the kitten included Susan insisting that we buy a certain type of cat food. When I told her I was having a hard time finding it in stores and couldn't even get it through my vet she said I would have to order it and she sent me a link. She then badgered me until she was notified by the company that I placed my order - Susan gets kick backs from the cat food company for each client she refers to them.
When we picked up the kitten I was appalled at the sight of her home. She has so many cats my daughter couldn't even count them all and that was only the females - she said the males were all upstairs. One of the adults was pregnant and due in January. Recently her website indicated that she may have two litters available at the same time. She had black plastic garbage bags covering her furniture and told my husband and I to check the sofa and chair before we sat down to make sure there wasn't cat pee on it. My daughter refused to sit down in her house.
Against my better judgement, we brought the kitten home since my daughter was so excited. Once home the kitten shook for the first 24 hours. She wouldn't eat which I expected on the first day but she was also spotting blood and wreaked of cigarette smoke - so bad that I wiped her down with kitten wipes. I emailed the breeder that night and she called to say the bleeding was either from the stress poop she did in the cat carrier on the way home or from a UTI (which one of the kitten's litter mates also had. She told me that the other kitten was on meds for the UTI as well as a vaginal infection). I also told her the kitten was not litterbox trained and she said that I would have to use pine pellets or the kitten would continue to go outside the box. Pine pellets are a problem for me since I'm allergic to pine but I went out and got them anyway and the kitten still went on the floor.
I told Susan I had an appointment at the vet in three days and would have her checked out which Susan did not recommend - she said it would be too much for the kitten after leaving the cattery and coming into a new environment...but other breeders I have dealt with say the exact opposite and recommend that the new kitten visit a vet within a week.
After the kitten's first day of shaking, bleeding and pooping and peeing all over my bathroom she then started to bite. Not cute kitten nibbles but actual biting. She bit my husband in the leg while he was brushing his teeth and bit me in the face when I was reading a book. Susan told me that I would have to teach the kitten how to lick instead of bite which is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. This would have been my fifth kitten/cat and I've never had to "teach" a cat not to bite. The kitten also couldn't seem to settle down. If you closed the door to the commode room (attached to the bathroom - bedroom we had her in the first two days) the kitten would meow and throw herself at the door like she couldn't stand to be alone. My daughter became fearful of the kitten.
On the third day I realized the kitten was not going to work out for us and I told Susan I wanted to return her for a refund. She said ok but when I brought the kitten back (with all the supplies/toys/kitty bed I purchased for the kitten) Susan said I wouldn't be getting a refund until she sold the kitten. When I asked how much she said she'd refund 1/2 but she was going to sell the kitten for the full $800 to another person which I told her was unethical. Mine was the second kitten that was returned to her. She said the other kitten was returned from the litter before my kitten's because the guy was afraid that the kitten was going to hurt his resident cat because she was so rough. She also said that she did not refund his money.
When I tried to talk to Susan about the refund she lamented about how she can't make ends meet and I was basically out of luck. Eventually she did return $500 after a back and forth with a third party but as for the last $300 that she still owes me...I imagine I'll never see that even though I know she sold the kitten within a couple of weeks of it's return to someone else while at a cat show.
Buyer beware - I would not recommend this cattery to anyone who wants a Maine Coon cat. The kitten's are not socialized well and it could end up costing you a lot of money in the long run.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Angelawaitingtofly
Hubert,North Carolina,
USA
Susan is a liar and controlling and stoie my money
#5REBUTTAL Individual responds
Wed, November 25, 2015
Hi, I contacted Susan about getting my mother a retired Maine Coon and Susan told me over the phone she wanted the cat to eat quality food. I agreed the cat would be on high quality grain free food that vets and TICA judged have recommended and after extensive research I found it to be one of the best foods.Well a few days before it was time to pick up the cat, Susan Blevins said, YOU WILL NOT feed that cat anything other then the food I approve of and that is abundance for life. She said you will have to order it through my web site and get dry and canned food. Susan said she gets discounts on her food for everyone she signs up for Abundance of life.I told her again, i would be feeding her Taste Of The wild shich is very high quality food and doesn't cost as much as she is wanting me to get.I told her I wanted my money refunded that I gave her and she refused. She kept harassing me and writing me nasty emails telling me my language is horrible for being a Minister's daughter because I had told her I am a ministers daughter. Of course I was irrate, this woman lied and said at first she was ok with what I was going to feed the cat, then she wants to control me by having me buy the food that she makes money off of and only that and third of all she is refusing to give any money back. Please stay far away from this evil woman that doesn't care about the cats but only cares about making money.
Cat Lover
Laytonsville,Maryland,
United States of America
Update
#5Author of original report
Wed, February 08, 2012
I realize that a pet is not a toaster. I don't understand why Susan uses this analogy because she's the one acting like the kittens are objects. I wanted this kitten to be happy in my home and us with her. I was accused of comparing the kitten to my previous cats (I've owned 4 and have two new kittens now). Susan knew that my last cat of 16+ years had severe health issues the last three months of his life and passed away in April 2011. When Susan's kitten exhibited the shaking and the blood (things I've never had happen just after bringing a kitten or cat home before) I was quite frankly scared and after what my MoMo went through I was not prepared to put myself or my young child through another ordeal with a potentially sick animal. I called my vet, explained the symptoms and behaviors and she provided a recommendation.
Also, I told Susan that I didn't think her kitten was a good fit for my family and our schedules. As a breeder I would think that would be her upmost concern not how she was put upon by the entire situation. It was only after contacting the CFA about the situation that I stood firm in requesting my money back based on their unbiased responses about the situation. I would think that as a business person she would want to be a little more cooperative. I'm sure that she does have happy customers who would post rebuttals for her about her cats but sometimes if it's not right it's just not meant to be. It's no one's fault but she brought personal things into my situation which I felt was unprofessional and degraded subsequent communications.
I did right by the kitten since in Susan's words she did find the perfect house with owners who adore her. Isn't that what every kitten or cat deserves? I certainly think so. Why force it if it's not right to save yourself aggravation?
I know when it's the right fit, we have found two new kittens that are perfect for our family...no shaking, no blood, no biting just two awesome and well adjusted kittens. They even did well being introduced weeks apart since they came home several weeks apart.
Yes Susan, a kitten is not a toaster but the breeder's main concern should be that the kitten find a suitable home that works for everyone even if it's not the most convenient situation for the breeder. This lead me to believe that with her it's money first - cats second.
My advice is to visit first, adopt later.
besottedbymainecoons
Delray Beach,Florida,
United States of America
Susan Blevins breeds superior Maine Coon kittens
#5Consumer Comment
Wed, February 08, 2012
I am a satisfied customer of Susan Blevins cattery. My first Maine Coon kitten was bred by Susan and purchased by me 9 years ago. I am still madly in love with "Mr Katz" a beautifully mannered companion who serves as the Alpha in my 4-pet household. Last year, I acquired a 2-year old retired breeder named Runner from Ms Blevins to keep my other Maine Coon Cat and my Cavalier King Charles spaniel company. She was well socialized and fit right in with the dog and the other cat. Last spring I moved to Florida and the cats, the dog and I drove 2 days to get to our new home. They all did well. In the fall, I called Ms Blevins to see if she had a brown tabby kitten or expected one. I arranged to purchase Benno, a litter mate of the kitten reported in the previous report, sight unseen, as I had so much confidence in Ms Blevin's cattery. I drove over 1200 miles to pick up the kitten, and promptly fell in love with him. We drove 1200 miles back over 2 days, staying in a motel one night. I was struck over how calm and loving the new kitten was and how easy he was to travel with. On arriving home, it took about 2 or 3 days for him to adapt to his new surroundings and his new family of 2 grown Maine Coons and one dog. Now I will find him asleep draped over the dog; having mad races with the 3 year-old cat all through my house; or being groomed or disciplined by Mr. Katz, the leader of the pack. This kitten is the full-blooded kitten of the reported "rip-off" kitten. On the matter of Ms Blevin's home , it is very small and at times of cats having litters, quite crowded. However, Ms Blevin's is scrupulous about the cats' and kittens' well-being and health. Her cats appear healthy and happy and her kittens appear well-adjusted. I have known and dealt with Ms Blevins for over 9 years and hold her in the highest esteem. Her cats grace my home and my life and are cherished and valued companions. I do not hesitate recommending her to any friend and value her advice and support with my cats. In fact, I would not hesitate to drive another 2400 miles to get another kitten when the time comes.
Susan - Moosecoons
United States of Americagrains of salt required
#5REBUTTAL Owner of company
Wed, February 08, 2012
I've been breeding and showing my Maine Coons for 15 years. My first priority has always been what is best for my animals, including the best quality food, healthy, hygenic conditions and a happy, comfortable life. I have 11 cats living with me including 2 stud males and some spays; my girls are bred when they need to be bred and are in good health and appropriate condition. The circumstances surrounding this returned kitten have become exaggerated with each recounting, and now my home and my ethics are being attacked -- all because the people didn't get what they wanted. My kitten purchase application states quite clearly that the $300 deposit is non-refundable and when the kitten was returned I explained that a refund would be forthcoming when I found her another home. I don't appreciate having my babies bounced around from place to place without being given a chance to settle in and feel safe and loved. The kitten in question was and is 100% healthy, normal, playful and affectionate. She has since settled into a new home and her new family specifically told me they've never known a kitten to be so sweet and friendly and their vet has pronounced her "perfect". A pet is a commitment to be cherished, not a toaster you return when it doesn't match your curtains.
I welcome potential kitten buyers to visit my home and always explain that I have cats and dogs and they all live in the house with me so don't expect home-beautiful. I can give you contact information for dozens of people who have kittens/cats that were raised in my home that will rave about how well they are socialized and how easily they fit into their new homes.
Susan Blevins
Moosecoons Maine Coons