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, and is the oldest active and most awarded Maine Coon cattery in Croatia, with the goal of breeding typical examples of the breed - healthy, big, beautiful and cuddly cats.
Our cats are first and foremost a part of our family, living freely around our home, they are raised with love, socialized amongst us, and taught to live with other cats and dogs.
Given that the health is the most important for a cat to have a healthy and high quality life, it is very important for me to breed with healthy and tested animals. Therefore, all my breeding cats are tested for HD (hip dysplasia), HCM (Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), PKD (Polycystic kidney disease), SMA (Spinal muscular atrophy), PK Def (Pyruvate kinase deficiency), for many generations already.
My first encounter with this beautiful breed happened quite by chance, when I participated in a dog show with my dogs, and a cat show was held at the same time. When I saw Maine Coons, it was love at first sight, and when I asked about the breed, I found out that it is a breed that behaves more like a dog than a cat, and I have realized that in addition to the appearance, the cat's character suits me completely. The search for my first Maine Coon soon began. Since there were none in this part of Europe then, I went to Bremen, Germany to get my first Maine Coon. Since then, she has been joined by several other cats from Germany, the Republic of South Africa, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, and several females from my own breeding.
My cats live with us in our home, first of all they are family members and they receive a lot of love and care from us. Cats do not live in cages and can move freely around our home. The type and appearance of my cats have not been altered in Photoshop but show the real appearance of the cats. The kittens are born and grow up in my room, where they are under constant supervision and in contact with us, and after they grow up a bit and receive necessary vaccinations, they get to know and socialize with our other cats and dogs. They can go to their new homes at the earliest at 14 weeks, after they have been fully vaccinated and preventively cleaned of parasites. They go to their new homes with pedigrees, passports, health certificate, contract, copies of parents' health tests and with small gifts that help them adapt to their new homes faster.
Over the years of breeding and exhibiting cats, cats from the kennel and their offspring have achieved top results at exhibitions: they have won various championships (CH, IC, GIC, SC, DSM), Best in Variety titles, nominations for Best in Show and Best in Show titles. When I participated in the Top Ten Croatia for the first time in 2008, the cattery won 1st place for all cat breeds thanks to the results of cats from my own breeding. I am proud to say that some of them even gained titles that are quite hard to gain and not many cats are lucky to have them, such as Distinguished Merit (DM), Distinguished Variety Merit (DVM), Distinguished Show Merit (DSM), Junior Winner (JW), National Winner (NW) etc.
Since then, I have continuously won 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in cattery of all breeds, although in the last few years I exhibited cats much less because I was a student for a felinological judge, and then I became a judge. Cats from my breeding live all over Europe, USA, Africa, Canada, Russia, etc. and are very successful at cat shows and further breeding. I selflessly helped many breeders in their beginnings, passing on my many years of experience and knowledge about breeding, diseases, genetics...
My love for animals encouraged me to actively participate in the work of felinological and cynological clubs, and the pleasant atmosphere at cat shows to participate in the work of the cat shows in various ways, so I became an international felinological judge for the 2nd category in 2014, thus becoming only 2nd Croatian judge, and in 2017 I also passed the exam for the 1st category.
My goal is to continue to breed beautiful, healthy specimens of this breed, to enjoy coexistence with them, to delight new owners with healthy, beautiful, and happy kittens from my breeding, to promote the breed, and to continue learning about other breeds of cats as a student for a felinological judge for the remaining two category of cats.
I would recommend this wonderful breed to everyone because they are cats that will unconditionally give you a lot of love and joy, be always present with you and follow you faithfully, and get along great with everyone, including other animals.