​​Introduction 

​Hi Im Vicki Walls and breed Maine Coon cats under the New Zealand Cat Fancy Inc registered prefix of Vladimir.

We are located in the township of Rangiora, 30mins north of Christchurch which is in the middle of the beautiful South Island of New Zealand.

​ How did I get into Maine Coons you may ask??

I first fell in love with Maine Coons when I saw Zena Pigdens newly imported boy Keoka Zarniwoop (Imp UK) at a cat show in 1998.

My very first Maine Coon was a brown tabby neuter - Shiningwater Morpheus (Murphy) whom I purchased in 2001 from Zena after being on her waiting list for 18 months. Worth the wait! . After showing him for a couple of years (first Maine Coon in New Zealand to get the Gold Double Grand Premier title) and learning more about the breed, meeting the breeders etc there was no doubt that this was the breed for me.  Zena then agreed to sell me my first breeding cat, a beautiful black silver tortie classic tabby and white girl named Shiningwater Tabitha Twitchit. I had registered my prefix with the NZCF late 2003, my first litter was born 7/1/2004 and the rest is history.

I owe many thanks also to Soozn Grindell of MainelyMagic Maine Coons for her help, support & sound advice along the way. Soozn sold us MainelyMagic Sigcoony Weaver & MainelyMagic Happy Ever After both of which feature in many of our Vladimir pedigree.

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My cats all live in the house with us. They are pets first and breeding cats second.  All kittens are raised in our home as part of the family as Maine Coons are very social cats and love human company. I dont believe in cats living there lives in outdoor catterys with the only human contact they get is feeding times. Maine Coons are very social animals. My stud has his own room with access to an outdoor deck and has his own desexed female for company. 

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All my breeding cats are tested for Hip Dysplasia via Pawpeds (Lars Audell/Per Eskell) the Swedish method. They are also negative for HCM via the DNA test and are also annually heart scanned via echocardiogram by a specialist cardiologist (Dr Richard Lucy). I am very lucky that Richard lives in Canterbury and will work in with breeders. My cats results can be found on the Test Results page of this website.

Genetically Maine Coons (and many other breeds including domestic moggies) can suffer from Hip Dysplasia and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. I make an effort to be sure Im not breeding with cats that suffer or will pass on these horrible conditions. As a result, I only work with other breeders that are committed to the same level of health testing as I am.

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​Currently I belong to the NZ Maine Coon Cat Club (inc) (am one of the founding members), a life member and president of the LonghairCat Breeders Assn (inc), member of CABCC and registered with the NZ Cat Fancy Inc. Im actively involved in the show scene and regularly attend cat shows mostly in the South Island and lower North Island.  I find this keeps me up to date on whats happening within the cat fancy and in touch with other breeders. I love the social side of showing, the awards and placings are just a bonus. I dont sell kittens specifically just for showing but am happy to help if new owners wish to persue this.

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​Because I am so passionate about the breed, I only breed Maine Coons. I don't work full time (have a not so exciting  part time job at nights) so I get to spend lots of quality time with my cats and kittens which I am sure my cats enjoy :-) and Im certain helps with the socialisation of kittens. 

I also enjoy sewing and make Roley Cat Beds, named after my soulcat Roley (Vladimir Tumbleweed). Roley Cat Beds can be found on facebook - "Roley Cat Beds" . I love painting rocks "One Stoned Cat" on facebook. When Im not at home, or cat shows, I tend to enjoy the company of my friends and meet up for coffee. I also have 2 horses which nowadays are more paddock ornaments.

Vladimir Maine Coons can be found on Facebook. Look us up for more up to date information regarding kittens, photos etc etc.

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