We’re stoked you’re here!
Meet Janine and the Crew
Hey, what’s up guys? I’m Janine, the face, heart, and soul behind Southwest Maine Coons. Born and raised in California, I’m now living the dream with my family in the mountains of Dixie National Forest. Surrounded by junipers, pines and fresh mountain air, this is where we raise our little ones—both human and furry.
I’m a stay-at-home mom to three amazing children, and together with my husband, Dane, we’ve made this property in the forest our home. We’re all about giving our kids (human and fur kind) an opportunity to live a adventurous, nature-filled life in an environment, where they’re free to roam and explore.
Animals are my thing—growing up I was the girl bringing home strays and nurturing all kinds of creatures. Fast forward to today—I’m still surrounded by animals but now get to do it with my rad family! To be real, we probably spend more time with our animals than we do with other humans!
At Southwest Maine Coons, we’re not just breeding cats—we’re building lasting connections with our animals- and now you! The laid-back, surf-inspired vibe of Southwest Maine Coons comes straight from my California roots—you can take the girl out of California, but you can’t take California out of the girl! And that’s where the spirit of Southwest Maine Coons was born.
We hope you come along this journey!
How we got here…
For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to do something like this—something that combines my love for animals with a slower-paced, and fulfilling lifestyle. But there was always something holding me back: money, space, or time.
A few years ago, we took a leap and left the hustle behind. We bought a large property in the forest, and soon after, our family started growing. Finally we had the space and time with our new lifestyle. Financially, it wasn’t easy. We saved, sold, traded, and did whatever side jobs we could to make this dream possible.
Our dream truly came to life when we got our first Maine Coon! We were so taken by their unique and majestic qualities that we knew we had to share them with others.
With my husband’s ranching background and my passion for animals, we didn’t feel like complete beginners but we knew we still had a lot to learn. We spent countless late nights researching, talking, and connecting with other breeders. One, in particular, became a great mentor, even helping get us our founding cats (shout out to Cass at Idaho Maine Coons!).
And so, here we are…with determination, a lot of hard work, and the support of our amazing community, we finally feel ready to make this dream a reality.