Our Story
Jasper’s Story
In 2005, when I was 12 years old, my mother took my sister to pick out a Maine Coon kitten. We had recently lost our family cat, and I was incredibly excited for her — and secretly for myself — to welcome a new kitten into our lives.
Back then, it was common to visit breeders in their homes, and we were introduced to a room full of adorable, fluffy kittens. I’ve always had a special love for orange cats; my very first cat, Spike, was an orange mixed-breed rescue from a shelter. While we were meeting the kittens, my sister instantly fell in love with Alice, a rare red poly female. As we sat playing with them, a little orange-and-white boy wandered over to me and refused to leave my side.
Truthfully, my mother had no intention of bringing home two kittens that day. But the breeder noticed the connection between me and that tiny orange kitten. In an incredible act of kindness, she decided to gift him to me. She told my mother, “You have two little girls, so you need two kittens.” That kitten became Jasper.
That simple act of generosity changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. Jasper became one of the greatest sources of love, comfort, and support I have ever known. He was with me through high school and college, through my first marriage and my divorce. He lived an amazing 18 and a half years and was a true testament to what thoughtful breeding, excellent care, and genuine kindness can bring into someone’s life.
Jasper passed away in 2021 from Idiopathic Chylous Effusion, after already overcoming lung cancer at 13 years old. In honor of Jasper — and the immeasurable joy and love he brought into my life — I decided I wanted to give back to the breed that has meant so much to me and help preserve and further everything that makes Maine Coons so extraordinary.
Who I am, Jasper’s Legacy & Omega Maine Coons
Omega Maine Coons is not my full-time career. Professionally, I serve as the Vice President of Aqua Terra Environmental, LLC, an environmental consulting and contracting firm. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree with a focus in Construction Project Management and am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Engineering Management. Outside of work, much of my free time is spent gardening alongside the cats in our fenced-in catio or researching a wide range of scientific topics.
After Jasper’s passing, I knew I wanted Maine Coons to remain a part of my life. But beyond simply owning them as companions, I became deeply interested in what responsible, science-driven breeding could contribute to the future of the breed. With my background in science and engineering, I began approaching breeding from both a strategic and analytical perspective.
Omega Maine Coons is truly a passion project dedicated to producing exceptionally healthy, genetically diverse, and beautifully wild-looking companion cats. The Maine Coon is already an extraordinary breed, but unfortunately, the breed today faces challenges related to excessive inbreeding and the continued use of poor-quality foundation lines. Because of this, I spent over a year carefully selecting and genetically testing my breeding cats to ensure I was building a program founded on quality, health, and long-term sustainability.
All of my Kings and Queens are tested clear for over 50 genetic diseases, receive yearly echocardiograms, and undergo OFA evaluations when age appropriate. Health, temperament, and genetic diversity are always prioritized above all else.
Jasper — and the way he came into my life — has also remained at the heart of my cattery’s mission. Because breeding is not my primary source of income, I am not financially dependent on constantly producing litters. This allows me to focus on thoughtful, ethical breeding practices rather than volume. I am fortunate enough through my primary career to invest in high-quality breeding stock and extensive health testing, and my goal is to make exceptional Maine Coons more accessible to loving families who may not otherwise be able to afford the extremely high costs often associated with imported lines or extensively health-tested cats.
At its core, Omega Maine Coons is committed to providing healthy, high-quality kittens to caring homes at a reasonable and accessible price point. We proudly stand behind our kittens with a limited warranty and a health guarantee covering specified genetic conditions.