Firesale for cats: $3,950 each
If you or your child are allergic to cats, there might just be a bargain for you! ALLERCA Inc., says it has managed to breed the world's first hypoallergenic cats and is selling them for $3,950 each! People who are allergic to cats and buy one of these will not experience sneezing, red and itchy eyes or asthma -- except in very acute cases. The company says that as soon as the news got out people rushed to place orders and now there is a waiting list. According to the BBC, the company tested thousands of cats, looking for those tiny few that do not have glycoprotein Fel d1. Glycoprotein Fel d1 is what triggers allergic reactions in humans -- it can be found in the fur, pelt, saliva, serum, urine, mucous, salivary glands, and hair roots of the cat. On finding a decent number of cats that did not carry glycoprotein Fel d1, the scientists selectively bred them. The kittens of these selectively chosen cats do not produce human allergic reactions -- they are hypoallergenic cats. The company says its cats are friendly, playful and affectionate, and are available in several coat colors and patterns. The coat is "medium-long, with low maintenance and minimal shedding." At $3,950 per pop, I'm sure you can convince your child to have another pet rather than a cat. The fact the company has a waiting list for the cats suggested that the old saying about suckers being born every minute remains valid.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
tammy 10-05-2006 @ 6:19AM
This is so stupid it is not even funny. If people have that kind of money to put out on a cat then try helping poor people or donating to a charity. hell, send me the money i am sure i can find something better to do with it
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Derek 10-05-2006 @ 6:51AM
? What if someone wanted a cat their entire life, yet couldn't, I'm sure you've spent as much money for an unnecessary luxury...how much is your car? $10,000+? When theirs cars for much cheaper....do you live in a $100,000+ home?...do you have kids who you pamper?
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Callista 10-05-2006 @ 6:53AM
Great. I love cats. I have 2 my self .But lets get real on the price here. Bit pricy.
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Barbara 10-05-2006 @ 6:58AM
I don't think it is stupid at all. Cats are friendly, intelligent, wonderful companions. They teach kids a tremendous amount about responsibility and caring for something other than yourself. I live in NYC. A dog is not practical for me or my family. We had fish, and they just don't have the same cuddle factor that our cats have (we are not allergic - we adopted our cats). If you have the money for a hypoallergenic cat - why not. If I have $4000 to spend on a cat, I probably have the means to give just as much to charity as well...And hey - a $4000 cat seems like a better expenditure of money to me than a $10,000 TV!
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Paula 10-05-2006 @ 7:01AM
Thank goodness I'm not allergic to cats. I would shell out the money to have one, if I was allergic.
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Lisa Kelly 10-05-2006 @ 7:16AM
How is this any different than unusual breeds of dogs and cats that can also cost into the thousands? Except that this will actually make it possible for people that couldn't normally have a pet, to get one.
Like with everything else - the price will eventually come down. Which makes me wonder- do they "fix" these cats to stop people from breeding them on their own?
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patricia 10-05-2006 @ 7:20AM
hey thats great if someone can afford a cute kitty and get the benifits of not sneezing and itchy eyes but hey if they want to pay it let them. i have 4 cats myself and had cats and 17 dogs growing up and i love cats if i had that kind of money i would buy one but i would also make sure the important things were handle first.
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Brenda 10-05-2006 @ 7:21AM
I agree on number 2 and 4. There are people who go nuts on buying extravegant stuff, like plasma TV's, Coach purses, or what have you.
We all have our guilty pleasures, and hey if that's what it takes to have a pet, then it's up to that person as an individual to buy one.
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lori 10-05-2006 @ 7:25AM
I SELL LIP COLOR THAT DOES NOT COME OFF UNTIL YOU TAKE IT OFF!
CHECK IT OUT
www.lalalips.com
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LESLIE 10-05-2006 @ 7:27AM
I HAVE SEVERE ASTHMA, CHRONIC BRONCHITIS, COPD, ALLERGIES AND NUMEROUS OTHER MALADIES....I RAISE CORNISH REX CATS....THEY R A MUCH BETTER ALTERNATIVE TO A $4000 CAT, WHICH IN ALL PROBABILITY U WILL STILL B ALLERGIC TO...
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Gypsy 10-05-2006 @ 7:28AM
Well, I personally love cats... I'm not allergic, and I would never spend that much money on one. But, there is absolutely no difference between these cats and almost any high end pet store in NYC. I walked into one one day, and I wanted to get a chihuahua puppy. $3000.00 they wanted. So, I went to my local shelter, and guess what!! I got a chihuahua puppy that is the best dog in the whole world not a barker, yapper, whatever... for $50.00 yeah I had to be put on a waiting list, but I got him. Theres no difference. And, I'm sure they are neutering them... If they didn't they'd be really stupid.
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katie 10-05-2006 @ 7:38AM
i think this is an awesome idea if you can afford it. i've had a cat since i was 4 years old and i think i'm probably a better person because of it. just think if the only pet your child could have was a fish because they were allergic to pet dander, that doesn't seem so fair. and yeah it seems like a lot to spend on an animal, but look at it this way, if your child is allergic more than like so is one of the parents so a "hypoallergenic kitty" would be perfect for said family.
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barb 10-05-2006 @ 7:50AM
use the money to help poor people!!?? what a load of crap!! my husband and i have worked very hard for our money and made GOOD decisions. i will spend MY money the way i care to..and if that means a $5000 cat, then that is what i get........we make alot of money and are taxed alot of money to help the poor losers that dont care to get off their butts and help themselves!!
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John 10-05-2006 @ 7:51AM
It's a nice looking cat but I bet I can find one that looks just as nice at the pound. My dog cost almost $4,000, and he stinks just like any normal dog. No I didn't pay the $4,000 my Son did. I just ended up with the doggie when Allen moved out of state.
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Virginia 10-05-2006 @ 7:52AM
TEACH ME HOW TO BREED THEM AND I WILL SELL THEM, COME ON IT IS A GREAT WAY TO MAKE GOOD MONEY!!!
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Angie 10-05-2006 @ 8:06AM
I actually saw the clip on Good Morning Fox News and the cat was actually a beautiful all white honey named "Joshua" and a young girl who had asthma and allergies played with him about 20 minutes prior to the show and then they interviewed the spokesperson from the company and then brought the girl back who said she experienced NO Allergies at all and usually once near a cat, she was sneezing. So, this is a pretty big find. I would pay it. If I had it. :)
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Amy 10-05-2006 @ 8:12AM
What does long lasting lipstick have to do with cats? Anyways, if I was allergic to cats and I had that kind of money, I would absolutely buy a couple. I love cats! It is alot of money, but think hoow many kids and adults will be so happy to finally have a cat.
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Cristina 10-05-2006 @ 8:19AM
My mom is allergic to dogs, so my siblings and I researched hypoallergenic dogs and found an adorable cocker spanial poodle mix that we love as a family member. My mom has no problems with her. Hypoallergenic dogs are a lot cheaper and easier to find then cats, however. If other people really want a cat but can't have a regular one, I think thats really good then that they have the opportunity.
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Rebecca Rinker 10-05-2006 @ 8:26AM
$4000 Cat or 20 Years of Medical Care $$$$???
My mother LOVES cats, adores them, would LOVE to have one. But she can not! She is so allergic she can walk into a petstore and tell you within two steps of the door wether or not they have cats inside. I would gladly pay $4000 for a kitten so that my mother could have one. Afterall compare the cost of a $4000 kitten virses Allergy Medication and Allergy Shots over the course of a Cats Life Time, which can be as long as 20 years!!!! My mother's medical bills after 20 years of treatment to allow her a cat, she has no insurance, would buy her a hundred $4000 cats!
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Tina 10-05-2006 @ 8:29AM
My son and husband have cat allergies (and prob. my daughter, too), but our Devon Rex doesn't seem to bother them too much. Her fur is very soft, shorter and wavy, but def. not hairless. We bought her for $300 from a breeder at 3 yrs. old (their kittens went for $600). She was already spayed, so I figured that was part of my cost. She's been a great cat...very cuddley, sweet, and playful...she even brings us toys to play with and fetch!
I wouldn't pay $4000 for a pet, but it isn't in my budget either. We are also a one TV family, don't have X box or Nintendo, and do give to charity. For those not living in or near poverty, it's mostly a matter of your priorities and values.
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