The Guardian Program

011. Agreement Structure & Intent

This Agreement is a separate, optional participation agreement governing potential breeding-related involvement only. It does not alter ownership, sale terms, or responsibilities established in the original Purchase Agreement. Participation in the Program is strictly conditional, controlled, and subject to EMC approval.

022. Ownership Confirmation

The Guardian retains full legal ownership of the Cat at all times. This Agreement does not transfer ownership, possession rights, or title to EMC.

033. Program Nature (Controlled Breeding Participation)

The Guardian acknowledges that participation in the Program is not guaranteed. Selection is based on temperament, health, genetics, and overall suitability. EMC retains exclusive control over all breeding decisions, and no breeding may occur without explicit EMC approval. The Cat may only be used for breeding purposes within EMC-approved pairings and timelines.

044. Breeding Rights & Control

All breeding rights, decisions, pairings, and scheduling remain exclusively under EMC control. The Guardian agrees that no outside breeding is permitted, no independent mating is permitted, and breeding activity is strictly limited to EMC-approved programs only. EMC may suspend or cancel breeding eligibility at any time.

055. Care Responsibilities

• 5.1 Daily Care (Guardian Responsibility) — The Guardian is responsible for safe, indoor-only housing at all times; daily feeding, water, and litter maintenance; grooming and hygiene; socialization and enrichment; maintaining a stable and clean home environment; preventing exposure to unsafe animals or environments; and basic preventative care as recommended by a licensed veterinarian.
• 5.2 General Veterinary Care (Guardian Responsibility) — The Guardian is responsible for all non-breeding-related veterinary costs including annual exams and vaccinations, emergency care unrelated to breeding activity, illness, injury, diagnostics, and treatment, dental care and preventative procedures, parasite prevention and treatment, and any condition arising from environment or general ownership.
• 5.3 Breeding-Related Care (EMC Responsibility — Conditional) — EMC is responsible only for approved breeding-related veterinary care, including breeding clearance and reproductive evaluation, pregnancy-related veterinary care tied to EMC-approved breeding, reproductive monitoring and coordination, whelping/queening support when arranged by EMC, and breeding-specific diagnostics and procedures. All such care must be pre-approved by EMC unless immediate veterinary intervention is required.
• 5.4 Emergency Veterinary Care — The Guardian must seek immediate veterinary care in emergencies without delay. EMC must be notified within a reasonable timeframe (not exceeding 24 hours) after emergency care begins. Emergency veterinary decisions made by a licensed veterinarian take priority over program coordination. Non-emergency breeding-related veterinary care requires prior EMC approval. Failure to notify EMC may impact continued Program participation.
• 5.5 Veterinary Coordination Authority — The Guardian agrees that EMC maintains authority over all breeding-related veterinary decisions, including timing, reproductive protocols, and elective procedures.

066. Breeding Program Classification

The Guardian acknowledges that EMC operates structured breeding programs including the Foster Program (internal / family & friends only / EMC-owned cats) and the Guardian Program (public / privately owned cats under EMC breeding control). The Guardian Program differs in that the Guardian retains ownership, EMC retains all breeding rights, compensation applies per litter under EMC's published structure, and participation is conditional and not guaranteed.

077. Compensation Acknowledgment

The Guardian acknowledges that if the Cat is selected and participates in the Program, compensation may apply per litter in accordance with EMC's published Guardian Program structure, including but not limited to per-kitten compensation payments, EMC share of breeding proceeds, owner share of proceeds (where applicable), and referral bonus eligibility (if applicable under EMC policy at time of agreement). All compensation is contingent upon EMC-approved breeding, successful litter outcome, and full compliance with this Agreement. No compensation is guaranteed unless a litter is produced under EMC authorization.

088. Program Duration

Participation typically spans approximately 3–4 years but may vary based on health status, reproductive suitability, temperament evaluation, and EMC program needs.

099. Termination of Participation

EMC may immediately remove the Cat from breeding participation at its sole discretion for health or genetic concerns, temperament or behavioral concerns, failure to comply with program requirements, communication failure, or safety or welfare concerns. Termination of Program participation does not affect ownership rights under the Purchase Agreement.

1010. Post-Program Requirement

Upon completion or removal from the Program, the Cat will be permanently retired from breeding. The Guardian is responsible for spay/neuter at their expense. The Cat remains with the Guardian as a companion animal.

1111. Communication & Monitoring

The Guardian agrees to provide updates when reasonably requested, allow photo/video check-ins, maintain open communication regarding health and status, and notify EMC of major health or environmental changes.

1212. No Additional Purchase Requirement

Participation in the Program does not require any additional purchase beyond the original Purchase Agreement.

1313. Entire Agreement Relationship

This Agreement operates as a supplemental breeding participation contract and does not override the original Purchase Agreement governing ownership.

14Interested in the Guardian Program?

If you are interested in having your Empire Maine Coon considered for the Guardian Program, please reach out to us directly. Participation is limited, carefully evaluated, and extended only to adopters who share our commitment to ethical breeding, exceptional care, and the long-term health of the Maine Coon breed. We would love to discuss whether this program might be a fit for you and your cat.

• Email: BoobahCoon@EmpireMaineCoons.com
• Phone: (815) 527-6675
• Subject line: Guardian Program Inquiry