"Sneeze-Free" Kittens Now On The Market

"Sneeze-Free" Kittens Now On The Market FARM HOME Miscellaneous 30-6-31 If you love cats but you can't get one because of allergies - and if you've got an extra $3,950 to spend - you can join the growing waiting list for a "sneeze-free" kitten from Allerca Inc. in San Diego, Calif. The first litter of the "patent pending" hypo-allergenic felines was sold this fall to buyers who went on the list back in 2004. After years of research and development, the company says it can now reliably produce a relatively allergen-free domestic shorthair cat. It has reduced levels of a certain protein in its skin, fur and saliva that triggers allergic reactions. Hypo-allergenic cats do occur naturally in a tiny fraction of the cat population (not breed specific or even litter specific), says Allerca CEO Megan Young. They selected for those cats in their breeding program. To maintain authenticity of the breed and to eliminate crossbreeding and inaccurate representation by profit-minded private breeders, Allerca says their kittens will be sold pre-spayed and neutered. The company's franchise program will begin in 2007. Allerca is currently accepting expressions of interest for franchise territories available in the U.S. and internationally. You may reach Allerca by phone at 619 793-5100 or by fax at 310 861-5606. Their website is www.allerca.com.

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