A company called Allerca has developed the first allergy-free cat; hypoallergenic accept in the most acute cases. The company says that they have bred the only scientifically proven cats that do not cause an allergic reaction.
Allerca developed cats that do not secrete a potent protein from their skin and salivary glands. All cats secrete some of this allergen, but some more than others. By focusing on a naturally occurring genetic divergence (GD), the company is able to produce cats (or breed cats) that do not produce the protein.
Not having this protein doesn’t harm the cat. They claim that the ALLERCA GD cat is the only scientifically-proven cat that helps those individuals with feline allergies and was developed using proprietary methods under ALLERCA’s pending patents.
You can choose from cats with all coat colors and patterns. The coats are medium-long with low maintenance and minimal shedding, according to the company. Their cats are medium sized, between ten and fifteen pounds.
The cats will set you back $3,950. The kittens all come with updated vaccinations, a microchip identifier implant and other options. All of their cats are either spayed or neutered.
BBC
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Great news for pet lovers who are allergic to cats: they can now own kitties without the stress of sneezing all the time or having red, inflamed eyes.
Allerta, a US company, has just revealed that first hypoallergenic cats are now available for nearly $4,000 a kittie. It may seem a lot but demands are numerous and there is already a waiting list.
“There’s really a need. One of the primary reasons that cats are unfortunately given up for adoption or go to shelters is because people are really highly allergic,” said Steve May, Allerta’s representative.
“So to share that quality time and still wanting a cherished pet like this from a cat, there is big demand,” Allerta’s spokesperson added.
Cat allergy is caused by protein that is contained by the animal’s urine or saliva. Somehow researchers discovered a way to inactivate the protein.
“This is a natural gene divergence within the cat DNA – one out of 50,000 cats will have this natural divergence. So candidates, natural divergent cats were found and then bred so there is really no modification of the gene,” explained Steve May in an interview to BBC.
BBC Submitted by Dan Wilson on September 26, 2006 – 1:43am. Home and Leisure
Updated/maj. 01-10-2006
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