Identifying responsible breeders? Or wait for specific requirements from animal shelter?

[Hoolahoophop]

Hello,

DH would love a pair of cats. I have mild allergies (triggered by my rabbits currently but I can put up with it as they are outdoors and antisocial).

We live in a decent sized house, in the country with lots of space for roaming. No fast roads nearby, lots of fields backing onto the the house. Mice problems.

I would be happy to get cats, but not if they will trigger allergies in the house. So I wondered about getting a low allergy breed rather than a moggie. (Our rabbits are rescue bunnies and wonderful so would go rescue rout if I were not looking for specific breeds).

Is there a way of identifying responsible breeders? Or would I be better going to a few local rescues telling them about our life and my hopes then waiting to see if they have anyone come it that would fit our lives.

Or give up on the idea of cats and get some mouse traps.

Thanks.

The first step is to contact some breeders and go see how badly your allergies are triggered. Keep in mind that cats can and do kill rabbits so you’ll need to be quite careful.

Rabbits are in very secure lodgings in the garden, full shed and secure outdoor run setup. So not worried about that, we have a lot of foxes (and deer) visit the garden and rabbits have always been safe and relaxed.....well as relaxed as rabbits generally are.

Hi Op, have you thought about getting “outdoor’ cats from a rescue ? I think some can be ‘semi feral’, I imagine you could have a good relationship with them on your terms, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors anyway. A cat companion in the garden is so lovely. If your house space allows they could use part of it, especially in winter. I imagine you’d get to see a lot of them, and could develop a relationship with them, and not have to worry about your allergies. I’ve never had them myself but have seen profiles for them at rehoming centres. Also I’ve sometimes seen profiles for a cat who isn’t feral, but prefers to spend most of its time outside, and that sort of personality had made it less popular for adoption. So a chat with a rehoming centre may give you some ideas. They would perhaps also know about how ‘low allergy” a cat can really be. Good luck !

Thanks for the suggestions I have booked an appointment with private gp to discuss allergies and potentially get tested. Also researched some local rescues one of which offer allergy sittings or a service where you send in a T-shirt they pop it in the cats bedding and send it back so you can wear it and check for reactions so will try that then see how we get on. Dp would love a cat on his lap watching tv (like his old one from childhood) so not sure if have much luck keeping one outdoors if we had one.

Looking at the rescues they seem to prefer homing kittens to houses with primary ages children, but I think I'd prefer a cat 18 months plus with established personality for fit and to avoid kitten training.

You could still get a rescue even if you want a pedigree, there are pedigree rescue centres and also various breed specific Facebook groups where rescues are often advertised. It might take a bit longer but well worth the wait!

If you have allergies, please don't get a cat.

Just had a call from the insurance, they are happy to do some allergy testing for me, which is great. I am keeping fingers crossed it's just the rabbits I am sensitive too, that would make the rest of the family happy.