Help. Indecision about adoption

[SciFiScream]

I grew up with pets (dogs, cats, hamsters) but since I've been with my DH (16 years, 14 years married) I haven't had a pet. He's anti-pet. He did agree that when the time was right we'd consider a pet but "the time being right" always changed. Now I have DS (12) and DD (8) who both really want a pet. So he's agreed. We've been researching and thinking and planning for about 4 years. We've visited rehoming centres, we've held cats (to check for allergies, I have allergies, for years even since I had cats, but take a daily antihistamine). We've thought about costs, insurance, holidays, our garden, etc etc. We're ready.
We've found a pair of 7-month old kittens who are ready to be re-homed. They are brother and sister (vaccinated, chipped, neutered, litter trained, well-handled) and they are absolutely beautiful
But, but, but
I'm beginning to become like DH and be anti-pet.
What should I do?

I have a tiny black panther and a tiny silver grey cat running around my house right now. We're totally smitten. DS keeps saying "I can't believe we have pets. I can't believe we have pets" the black panther is" his" and was putting on a real performance of affection last night at bedtime.
The silver cat has definitely bonded with my DD.

There is some bad news though. Despite all my efforts it turns out that my allergies are really bad now and my son appears to be allergic too. (I spent ages visiting cats, testing for this very reason, we visit houses with cats, we've visited rescues and cuddled cats, I cat sit lots of cats - I've never reacted this badly)

We're going to see if we can both acclimatise and are putting all sorts of steps into place to help with this, the rescue have agree that we can "foster" them for a few weeks and if it doesn't work out we can take them back.

I really hope it works out. We're all in love with the cats.

So glad you took the plunge. Hope the allergies calm down.

Brother and sister!

I'm always allergic to new cats but I get used to them after a few days/a week and it goes away. I have 5 cats and foster others and it's fine. Sometimes I take an antihistamine if it's worse.

Goodness, I hope your allergies calm down!

Theyr beautiful :)

@viccat I take a daily antihistamine anyway (allergic rhinitis- I'm allergic to dust mites 😕) but I've been taking one that was created in the 50s so I'm going to see about taking a stronger one.
We're going to vacuum a lot more, I've designated my bedroom as a cat free zone, I've got allergy wipes from pets at home. They'll both get groomed often.
Any other tips gratefully accepted.
Ironically when I had allergy testing done by the NHS they said I was allergic to dust mites and probably dogs. But not cats.
They really are beautiful.
I'm taking a lot of hope in your experience about adjusting
I'm seriously considering investigating the injections you can get to help with allergies. They are worth it.

Wow they are beautiful

I haven't sneezed or had itchy eyes or ears since this morning...🤞🏻

Fingers crossed allergies stay under control. A friend of mine adopted a pair of siblings earlier in the year like yours-a grey boy and black girl.

We've got a grey girl and a black boy. Here they are lying on my lap.

They look quite settled!

My dh says they look very happy cats, congratulations op

That's fantastic! I hope your allergic reactions settle.

Oh good luck.
Only ever damp dust. Hoover frequently. Ditch as many non washable soft furnishings as possible. Petal Cleanse is supposed to work. Wash hands after touching cats.
I’m allergic to one of my two sisters but it seems to be calming down a bit. I wouldn’t give her up if it didn’t TBH.

Oh and I have just remembered a cat rescue lady who told me kitten fur and adult fur is different so maybe it might improve? Hope so.

Oh no. After a brilliant day yesterday allergy-wise it's back with a vengeance today. It's making me cough and breathing is a bit raspy.
I can't keep them can I? I have to make the right decision and I have to make it quickly before we all get too attached.
Oh no. My kids love them (I love them) my DH doesn't.
I've just used the allergy wipes on them and they hate that. 😥

Beautiful cats! Just wanted to say we got a cat and my husband was horrendously allergic - wheezing, eyes watering, tight chest. We had to return her. He was so desperate for one we looked at another months later and he wasn't allergic to her at all. My mother in law is the same with dogs, allergic to some and not others. It may be the same for you :-/

6 days in and my allergies haven't bothered for 4 days!

Brilliant!

I know! I'm so excited and happy.

Hurrah!

What beautiful cats. I really hope your allergic symptoms settle down & you can keep them