Current Litter

Past Litters

All About

How We Raise Our Kittens

Our kittens begin their lives in a quiet bedroom, and for those first few weeks, so do I. I sleep in the room with mama and her kittens, waking throughout the night to check on them and, yes, sometimes just to make sure everyone is still breathing.

Those early weeks involve a lot of watching and a lot of weighing. Each kitten is weighed twice a day so we can follow their growth closely, looking for steady weight gain, healthy body condition, and normal development. Their world is intentionally small at first: their mama, their littermates, and our family. Gentle handling and early socialization begin from the start, but we introduce new experiences gradually as they're ready for them.

Around five weeks, their world gets much bigger. They move downstairs into the heart of our home, and from that point on, they're pretty much underfoot. They hear the vacuum, the kitchen, doors opening and closing, children playing, and all the ordinary sounds that come with a family of five. They nap in sunny windows, climb into laps, follow us from room to room, and generally make themselves part of whatever we're doing.

Living alongside us also gives them plenty of opportunities to learn how to be part of a home. We redirect little paws from places they shouldn't be, provide appropriate places to scratch and climb, and let them experience the normal rhythms, boundaries, affection, and activity of family life.

By the time our kittens leave us, our hope is that home doesn't feel like an entirely new concept. They've been living in one all along.

What Can I Expect?

Bringing home a kitten is exciting, but the months leading up to it shouldn't feel like a mystery. Here's what you can expect from the time you first reach out until your kitten comes home.

01 • Apply & Connect

It starts with a conversation.

Begin by completing our Kitten Application. It helps me learn about your family, your home, your experience with pets, and what you're hoping for in a Maine Coon.

If it looks like Marne River may be a good fit, we'll schedule a phone or video call. This gives us a chance to get to know each other, and gives you plenty of opportunity to ask questions about us, our cats, and how our kittens are raised.

An application isn't a commitment from either of us. It's simply the beginning of the conversation.

02 • Follow Their First Weeks

You'll get to watch them grow.

Once a litter arrives, we share their growth along the way, from the tiny newborn days and first wobbly adventures to the personalities that begin to emerge as they become part of everyday family life.

During these weeks, we're doing a lot of watching too. We notice who is first to investigate something new, who seeks out a lap, who wants to be in the middle of everything, and who prefers to observe before joining in.

There's a lot we simply can't know about a very young kitten, which is why we don't rush the next step.

03 • Matching

This is where patience pays off.

Around 12 weeks, we begin matching kittens with their families. By then, we've spent nearly three months living with them every day and have a much better understanding of their individual personalities.

We'll consider what we've learned about each kitten alongside what you've told us about your family, lifestyle, other pets, and what you're hoping for.

The goal isn't to make the decision for you, but to share what we've learned so we can make an informed choice together.

04 • Preparing for Home

Then the countdown begins.

Once you've been matched, we'll help you prepare. You'll know what your kitten is eating, what he or she is accustomed to, what we recommend having at home, and what to expect during the transition.

Our kittens generally leave us around 15 weeks. We'll work through pickup or travel arrangements ahead of time so everyone knows what to expect on Gotcha Day.

And our relationship doesn't end there. Questions are always welcome after your kitten goes home, and photos and updates most definitely are too!

Early Socialization
& Everyday Skills

A confident adult cat doesn't happen overnight. We start with very small experiences and build from there, always paying attention to what each kitten is ready for.

As they grow, our kittens are gradually introduced to:

Daily, calm handling beginning at birth
Having their paws, nails, ears, tail, face, and mouth handled
Nail trims
Combing and grooming
Gentle ear cleaning
Oral supplements, so taking medication isn't completely unfamiliar if it's ever needed
Short, positive car rides
Everyday household sounds and activity
Carriers as a familiar, comfortable place
Introduction to wearing a harness and becoming comfortable on a leash
Short, positive car rides, both with littermates and individually

The goal isn't to expose them to everything we possibly can. It's to give them lots of small, positive experiences that help prepare them for real life. We want nail trims, grooming, veterinary visits, travel, and everyday handling to feel familiar rather than frightening.

Favorite Products

& Amazon Affiliate Links

I'll only recommend products that we have tried and tested in our home and found to be beneficial for the health and development of our pets & kittens!

These products have worked well for our family,

but I encourage you to do your own research and make

an informed decision for your pets!

Food & Water