HUNTER'S ENIGMA is the oldest active and the most awarded Maine Coon cattery in Croatia
- registered in 2005 -
NATIONAL WINNER 2022 – 1st cattery of all breeds in Croatia
NATIONAL WINNER has not been held in 2020 and 2021
NATIONAL WINNER 2019 – 1st cattery of all breeds in Croatia
NATIONAL WINNER 2018 – 1st cattery of all breeds in Croatia
NATIONAL WINNER 2017 – 1st cattery in category 2
NATIONAL WINNER 2016 – 1st cattery in category 2
NATIONAL WINNER 2015 – 3rd cattery in category 2
TOP10 2014 – 3rd cattery of all breeds
TOP10 2013 – 2nd cattery of all breeds
TOP10 2012 – 2nd cattery of all breeds
TOP10 2011 – 1st cattery of all breeds
TOP10 has not been held in 2009 and 2010
TOP10 2008 – 1st cattery of all breeds
Hunter's Enigma is a FIFe-registered cattery located in Jablanovac, a suburb of Zagreb. It is the oldest active and most awarded Maine Coon cattery in Croatia, dedicated to breeding exemplary representatives of the breed - healthy, large, beautiful, and affectionate cats.
Our cats are, first and foremost, part of our family. They live freely in our home, are raised with love, and are well-socialized among us, coexisting harmoniously with other cats and dogs.
Since health is the most important factor in ensuring a cat's high-quality life, I prioritize breeding only with healthy, thoroughly tested animals. All my breeding cats are screened and tested for hip dysplasia (HD), feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), polycystic kidney disease (PKD), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK Def) - a practice that has continued for multiple generations.
My introduction to this beautiful breed happened by chance. While attending a dog show with my dogs, a cat show was being held simultaneously. The moment I saw Maine Coons, it was love at first sight. When I inquired about the breed, I learned that they behave more like dogs than cats, which, combined with their striking appearance, made me realize that this was the perfect breed for me. My search for my first Maine Coon began soon after. Since Maine Coons were not yet available in this part of Europe, I traveled to Bremen, Germany, to bring home my first cat. Over time, she was joined by several other cats from Germany, South Africa, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Austria and the cats from my own breeding program.
Our cats live as full-fledged family members, receiving constant love and care. They do not live in cages and can roam freely throughout our home. The appearance of my cats has not been altered using Photoshop—what you see is their real, natural beauty. Kittens are born and raised in my room, where they remain under constant supervision and close human contact. As they grow and receive their necessary vaccinations, they gradually begin to interact and socialize with our other cats and dogs. Kittens are ready to leave for their new homes no earlier than 14 weeks of age, after they have been fully vaccinated and preventatively treated for parasites. When they leave, they come with pedigrees, passports, health certificates, a contract, copies of their parents' health test results, and a small gift package to help them adjust to their new environment.
Over the years, cats from our cattery and their offspring have achieved outstanding results at exhibitions, winning various championship titles (CH, IC, GIC, SC, JW, DSM, DSV, DSW, NW), Best in Variety titles, nominations for Best in Show, and multiple Best in Show awards. In 2008, when I first participated in the Top Ten Croatia ranking, my cattery won 1st place across all cat breeds, thanks to the exceptional results of my homebred cats. I am proud to say that some of my cats have earned highly prestigious titles, which are difficult to achieve and rare among cats, such as Distinguished Merit (DM), Distinguished Variety Merit (DVM), Distinguished Show Merit (DSM), Junior Winner (JW), Distinguished Senior Winner (DSW) and National Winner (NW).
Since then, I have consistently ranked 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in the Cattery of All Breeds category, despite exhibiting my cats less frequently in recent years due to my studies to become a feline judge. Eventually, I became a judge myself. Cats from my breeding now live all over Europe, the USA, Africa, Canada, and Russia, excelling in both cat shows and breeding programs. I have also selflessly mentored many new breeders, sharing my extensive knowledge of breeding, feline genetics, and disease prevention.
My love for animals has driven me to actively participate in both felinological and cynological organizations. My enthusiasm for cat shows led me to contribute in various roles, and in 2014, I became an international felinological judge for Category 2 - only the second Croatian judge at the time. In 2017, I also passed the exam for Category 1, further expanding my expertise.
My goal is to continue breeding healthy, exceptional Maine Coons, to cherish life with them, and to bring joy to new owners with beautiful, affectionate, and well-socialized kittens. Additionally, I aim to promote the breed and further my education as a judge by studying the remaining two categories of cats.
I wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful breed to everyone. Maine Coons are incredibly loving, devoted companions who will bring endless joy into your life. They will always be by your side, following you faithfully, and they get along exceptionally well with people and other animals alike.