I have been allergic to cats my whole life. I get red rashes on my arms and neck and face, sneeze a lot, have really itchy eyes, etc. I can pet them and whatnot as long as I don't touch my eyes and wash my hands afterward. I am also allergic to horses. I am not allergic to dogs or rabbits.

My parents have an indoor cat, which they swear will be the last one, and which I am not as allergic to as I was to his predecessor. He's like 12. They also have a REALLY old outdoor cat (like 16), who I am fairly allergic to. They recently took in a stray calico kitten who is very cute but more allergy-producing than the other two. THEN< a few weeks ago, ANOTHER stray roamed up to their house, and is now also staying outside. He is white with big black spots and very long, incredibly soft hair. He is sweet, sweet, sweet, and purs at the drop of a hat and likes to just sit near you and be petted and lay around all day. The sweetest cat I have ever met.

My dad is thinking of giving him away or something (like dropping him off at another neighbor's house!!!), because he thinks they have too many cats (they live in the country, though). He wants me to take this one.

The weird thing is, I am apparently not allergic to him. I can pick him up and let him rub his soft fur all over my upper chest and shoulders and nothing happens. I pet him and he licks my chin and nothing happens.

Would it be INSANE for me to take him in when I move out to a place of my own in a couple of months? I have previously had two bunnies, and I was considering getting either another rescue bunny or a mutt from the animal shelter, but a cat would be great because they are less demanding - like I could leave him at home for a weekend without worrying to death. And I can't believe he doesn't make me break out in hives!

Any advice? Anyone else found that they are not allergic to certain types of cats? I had someone tell me once that Persians are usually not allergy-causing... but I don't think this cat is a Persian, anyway...

I just want to respond to a couple aspects of your post - I would rethink the leaving him at home alone for a weekend part. I wouldn't leave cats for more than overnight without supervision. They can develop infections quickly, find some string and choke on it, whatever...and, alone, they get lonely.

I am more allergic to some cats than others. And, when I've lived with cats, sometimes I'll go through an allergy stage, then my immune system will adjust to those particular cats and I'll be fine. So it's conceivable that this one is less of a trigger for you.

I don't see why you shouldn't take him if you're sure you're not going to get allergy problems. I agree with Izary though - I wouldn't contemplate leaving him on his own for a whole weekend. He could get ill, but also will be very lonely. I occasionally (like once or twice a year) leave my cats alone for a night, but they're indoor/outdoor so don't get bored, and there are three of them to keep each other company. If it's for longer than 24 hours I have a neighbour pop in first thing in the morning to make sure they're all still in one piece.

I've been allergic to cats all my life and I lived with 9 of them for over a year, that year ending about 5 months ago. At first, it was horrible. I couldn't stop sneezing, sniffling, scratching at my eyes and everything else. After the first few months the allergy started to subside, until finally it was almost non-existent. I love cats now and would suggest (allergies or not) that you take in all the strays that you can! Save the kitties! But yeah, leaving her alone is not the best thing to do, cats can do some crazy things.

Thanks for the posts. I didn't mean I would just abandon the cat - I would have someone checking in on him to feed him and make sure he is okay! :) But, with the bunnies I had before, I wouldn't've even trusted anyone to do that... bunnies are much more delicate than cats - most cats like some alone time and are very indepedent. Also, depending on where I live, he might be indoor/outdoor.

I am just stunned that he doesn't make me crazy with snot and rashes! haha

Thanks so much for the input! Much appreciated!!!