Our first introduction to Maine Coons was from wonderful pictures taken of the cats and kittens of MaryBs Cathouse, and our visit to Buck and Mary Buckmaster of Stafford, VA. Back then there was a long waiting list for Maine Coons. We were fortunate to have a lovely brown mackerel tabby female by the name of MaryB T. Shipp come into our lives in late 1977. Through Mary we were introduced to other breeders and the life of showing and breeding cats. It was an interesting time and many strong friendships were established. Many cats have passed through our lives since that time, all special and we have strived to maintain some of the "old" lines that are difficult to find today.

Health, type, and personality are first and foremost in our breeding. We place the majority of our kittens in pet homes as loved family members and lap warmers. A special few are placed with established breeders for showing and breeding. All pet kittens are spayed or neutered prior to leaving our home. We currently screen for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) and polycystick Kidney Disease (PKD) in our breeding stock. All cats are screened by echocardiogram and ultrasound and at this time show no evidence of these diseases. Screening is done by Dr. Gil Jacobs, DVM.

Disclaimer: Screening for HCM and PKD are currently the recommended methods to aid in reducing the incidence of these genetic conditions in cats. Breeders cannot guarantee that their cats will not have these conditions. However, Talshipp Cattery can guarantee that we are dedicated to screening our breeding stock in a continued effort to produce sound and healthy Maine Coons to the best of our ability.

Talshipp Cattery is associated with CFA, TICA, ACFA, and CFF. We have been members of the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association (MCBFA) since 1977 and a full breeder member since 1978.

We have been fortunate to acquire cats from breeders who have decided to retire from breeding. It has allowed us to keep certain lines active in pedigrees that would have been lost. I would like to thank Sue Shaw, Zazzara Cattery, Helen Dohrman, Firerose Cattery, Barbara Downing, Dreamaines Cattery and Darlene Ruhle, Crooners Cattery for entrusting their cats and kittens to our care.