Now I know what Thomas is going to want for Christmas: a hyopallergenic cat. Allerca is busy “working to produce the world’s first hypoallergenic cats”. They’re trying to suppress the gene that expresses a protein called Fel d 1, which is actually what most cat-allergic people react to. It turns out that different breeds of cat produce different amounts of Fel d 1, but I don’t know which breeds make the least (or most; this page lists a few breeds, none of which I’ve ever heard of). I did find one cite that said that female cats make much less than males do– good to know.
Anyway, Allerca will sell you a hypoallergenic cat– assuming they figure out how to suppress the gene– for a mere $3,500, with a $250 deposit due now. Perhaps Thomas would rather have something else.

I have been breeding hypo cats for 4 years now. I imported them from Russia. A new breed to USA and hypo for people who gets ill from cats. But I don’t sell them for $3,500 and you don’t have to wait till year 2007. I have kittens now and ready for good homes to people who are allergic to cats. Please come read all about them at: http://takeoff.to/possomscreek
Sherri, those are certainly unusual-looking cats! I’m not sure that the WAF (wife acceptance factor) for those would meet my requirements 🙂