Firesale for cats: $3,950 each

by Heather Craven (Subscribe to Heather Craven's posts) Oct 2nd 2006 4:00PM

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.

Source

Comments (135)

Reader Comments (Page 2 of 7)

Tonya 10-05-2006 @ 8:42AM

I do not have any problems with buying a $5 bottle of the dry shampoo that removes dander from my cats....works wonderfully and is $3900.00 less..........lol

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.

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!

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.

Donna 10-05-2006 @ 8:34AM

In the dog world, there's a breed called Wheaton Terrier (they look like small sheep dogs)that are considered hypoallergenic since they have hair instead of fur, and they cost at least $1,000.00. If someone wants to spend their money on this cat, so what? Louis Vuitton bags at $7,000.00, Christian Laboutin shoes at $700.00, HD flat screens at $10,000.00. At least this pet will give alot more love than leather and glass, and last alot longer!

Cheryl 10-05-2006 @ 8:45AM

I think this is a great idea if you can afford it. I love all kinds of cats. I know plenty of people that want a cat but can't have one because they are allergic to them. If there is a waiting list for them, I think it is wonderful.

Lauren Vaughan 10-05-2006 @ 8:38AM

This is sad. There are already so many homeless, abused and unwanted cats looking for homes! Why breed more?

Tim McCumber 10-05-2006 @ 8:42AM

So #19, are you gonna' buy your mom a cat???

Vickie 10-05-2006 @ 8:43AM

What's the big deal here? I just don't get it. People spend money on things that are pricey all the time. You do what you want with your money, why are you so critical of how someone else might decide to spend their money? Fancy cars, vacations, TV's etc, who cares. There are more expensive pets out there believe me. Ever priced some of those designer dogs and cats, or even the exotic birds etc. Animal lovers will spend what they can to have the privelage of sharing their lives with a pet. So be it. I wish them happiness with thier choices.

Kimberly 10-05-2006 @ 8:43AM

Well, I guess they are cute enough, just not 3950.00 cute! But I've seen people pay that or more for dogs, so why not cats now too? LOL! Sounds to me like they just found another way part a fool from thier money! But! I believe it would be worth it for a cat lover who is mildly allergic!

Donna 10-05-2006 @ 9:44AM

My whole family is allergic to anything with fur or feathers. My son has iguanas an animal that you can actually hold. But, they aren't exactly the loving type and they are a your responsibility for about twenty years. I love cats but I don't have $4,000 for an aimal. My son and his girlfriend just paid $500 for a Labradoodle mix(supposedly no dander) and after that first night my son was so sick they had to return the dog. They were so brokenhearted. They are saving for a home so $4,000 for a cat is too much to splurge on.

Kimberly 10-05-2006 @ 8:46AM

Let me state that my previous post is just my opinion! Not ment to step on any toes! I love cats and I'm blessed to not be allergic!I hope I didn't offend anyone!

Sandy 10-05-2006 @ 9:14AM

You can essentially make any cat non allergenic by washing it once a week. Washing removes 95% of allergens. I started when mine was a kitten. It takes three minues each week. Sphynx cats are hairless and cost much less than $4000.00.

Wendy 10-05-2006 @ 9:58AM

I think this is great! My entire childhood I could not get a cat because my mother is so severely allergic. I have a cat who I have had for eleven years, now that does not produce Glycoprotein fel d1 which most people think is absurd - he was not bred this way intentionally, however. When I had to stay with my parents for a few months it was no problem having him around my mother - who now has a new love for cats after being secluded from them her whole life. I think this is a great opportunity for people who have not had this opportunity and children deprived of having a pet because of their own allergies, or the allergies of others in their families.

diamondodge 10-05-2006 @ 8:57AM

I SECOND THAT, #13, and i think "Tammy" just might be one of those you refer to!!!!

Rosalie 10-05-2006 @ 9:05AM

I am an animal lover. I have always been and always will,but I have just one question . What happens if someone purchases one of these cats and they turn out to be allergic to it? What happens then? Is the company willing to take the animal back or will it just be tossed out into the streets like thousands of other animals are??? Please make sure that you will not be allergic to it before you purchase something like that. There is one other thing that kinda bothers me. I feel that when one tampers with mother nature,trouble usually happens. tampering with an animal, how safe is it?

Carol 10-05-2006 @ 9:10AM

Best buy is that product for which money expended gives the greatest personal satisfaction!

Susan Sedlak 10-05-2006 @ 2:48PM

I think that the comment that there are suckers being born every minute is true about a waiting list for cats was a ridiculous and ignorant statement to make! I bet that comment wasn't made when the first hypoallergenic dog was announced. Cats are very loving & afectionate creatures and need to be looked at with respect. I have grown up with cats my whole life. When I have children, if one of them is allergic, you better bet that I would spend that kind of money in a heartbeat for them to experience the unconditional love that I have gottn from my cats.

Melissa 10-05-2006 @ 9:17AM

lol..this cat already exsisted,it was the hairless cat! It is called a Sphynx,they come in many colors,and range in price from about $500-1200,alot less than the cat they are talking about

Anna V. 10-05-2006 @ 9:20AM

Rosalie - We've been selectively breeding domesticated animals for thousands of years now, especially dogs and cats. They were bred to enhance certain characteristics and diminish others. So don't fret, this is nothing new.

I would pay that much money for the cat in the picture, and that's because I love that coloring. Our cat Vlad we got from a rescue agency, and he's very much loved too. Cats do make good pets, and I'd cry if one of our kids were allergic!