Welcome to MTNest          Maine Coons

 

Welcome to MTNest  Here, we share our deep love for Maine Coons and the joy they bring into our lives. We are Judy and David Bernbaum,  located in Chester Springs, PA. We are professional, responsible, ethical breeders..  Both of us are now retired physicians (Judy a pediatrician and David an adult cardiologist) who are knowledgeable about and dedicated to producing well bred, happy, healthy and loving kittens. They all fit the “gentle giant” personality for which Maine Coons are known. The love of these cats and our efforts to advance the breed represent our passion.   Our journey began with a fascination for this majestic breed, known for their affectionate nature and stunning appearance. Our commitment to responsible breeding practices ensures that each kitten is well-socialized and ready to join their forever homes whether as a companion or, in special circumstances, for showing or breeding. We believe in transparency and invite you to learn more about our breeding philosophy and the care we provide our cats. We register our cats in TICA (The International Cat Association) and have successfully shown our kittens and cats since 1996. We have produced more than 50 Regional and International winning cats, some of whom you can see on our "legacy page".  We are the home of MTNest Midnight Cowboy, TICA’s #1 Allbreed Championship Cat of the Year for 2007-2008 and MTNest Prince William, TICA’s #1 Kitten of the Year for 2010-2011.  All of our cats are HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) negative as well as negative for all genetic abnormalities known to affect Maine Coons, including Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency,  and (SMA) Spinal Muscular Atrophy checked via Wisdon Panel's DNA testing.  In addition, all of our cats and kittens are negative for Feline Leukemia and FIV (Feline immunodeficiency virus).  MTNest Maine Coon Cattery has been named a TICA Outstanding Cattery since we have been breeding in 1999, and we are a member of TICA’s Responsible Breeder Program. Our Maine Coon cats live with us in our home, where our girls and neutered cats are free to roam throughout our house and often even join us at the dinner table!  In order to practice “planned parenthood,” our boys remain separate.  They live in spacious bedrooms, separated by screen doors so they can see and smell each other as well as be aware of the goings on in the rest of the house. We also have separate kitten rooms where our queens deliver and their kittens are cared for until ready to join the rest of the household cats. We do not cage any of our cats. 
We are a closed cattery where none of our cats are sent out to be bred.  In addition, we do not invite others in for purposes of breeding. Except for one occasion, all of our breeding boys and girls were born and remain under our roof.

Our Maine Coons share their house with our Border Collie who helps to raise new kittens and keeps our older cats on their toes! During the first 3-4 months with us, our kittens are weighed daily, played with, picked up and hugged multiple times a day. After a few weeks, they start getting used to having their nails cut and brushed often as well as getting an occasional “butt bath!” 

We invite you to navigate our website to learn more about us, our cattery and see pictures of several of our cats, current and past.