Cattery Visits for Allergies
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Visitors wishing to allergen test are asked to fill out a Cattery
Visitation form and pay a $50 non-refundable visitation fee. The visits
is designed to ensuring that you will be comfortable with a Siberian kitten.
We want kittens and owners to have a long and loving relationship. Our adult cats are tested for allergen levels in saliva and fur, and only cats with low levels are maintained in our breeding program. These cats provide excellent kittens for individuals with feline allergies.
Visitors with allergens will spend time with several cats. These girls have tested very low for feline allergens. You will be asked to bury your face in their fur for a brief time and then watch for possible reactions.
The Studs and Queens will not have been bathed in the weeks before your visit. This assures normal allergen levels in the fur, and allows us to judge reactions accurately.
Consider avoiding antihistamines before visiting the cattery as they mask potential reactions. Please bring your medications with you - including eye drops, inhalers and antihistamines.
If you have a history of severe allergies to cats or other animals, we ask that you obtain professional medical advice prior to your visit.
Kittens do not produce the same allergens levels of adult cats, so holding kittens is a poor indicator of future allergic response. Nursing kittens often cause reactions in people allergic to milk or eggs. Some allergen will be found on kittens from the mother grooming them, and also from the litter box. Allergen levels in young adult kittens varies much more than adult cats.
Reaction to litter boxes is very common, and can be caused by many sources. Dusty or perfumed litter can both cause sneezing and eye irritation. Feces and urine contain multiple allergens and irritants.
Once visitors have visited with the adult cats, we ask them to visit with kittens or cats with slightly higher allergen levels. This helps verify feline allergens as the problem. Visitors who are severely allergic to Fel d1 may show mild reactions to some of our breeding cats.