Cats - Maine Coon Cats and Mixed Breeds 

One of the oldest natural breeds in North America, the Maine Coon is generally regarded as a native of the state of Maine (in fact, the Maine Coon is the official Maine State Cat). A number of attractive legends surround its origin. A wide-spread (though biologically impossible) belief is that it originated from matings between semi-wild, domestic cats and raccoons. This myth, bolstered by the bushy tail and the most common coloring (a raccoon-like brown tabby) led to the adoption of the name 'Maine Coon.' (Originally, only brown tabbies were called 'Maine Coon Cats;' cats of other colors were referred to as 'Maine Shags.') Another popular theory is that the Maine sprang from the six pet cats which Marie Antoinette sent to Wiscasset, Maine when she was planning to escape from France during the French Revolution. Most breeders today believe that the breed originated in matings between pre-existing shorthaired domestic cats and overseas longhairs (perhaps Angora types introduced by New England seamen, or longhairs brought to America by the Vikings).

This information was taken from http://fanciers.com

At Cub Creek Science Camp we have two Maine Coon cats Buster and Dallas.  They have their own room in the Animal Learning Center.  During summer science camp we also bring in cats and kittens from a rescue shelter in hopes of finding a permanent home for them.  Campers love to play with the cats and many fall in love and adopt one of them to take home.  The Maine Coon cats Dallas and Buster are not available for permanent adoption but campers may adopt them for the week as part of the Science Camp program.

More information on Maine Coon Cats