Why a cat allergy shouldn't hold you back from adopting a moggy.

This post was written by our Peterborough Branch

We hear so many people telling us they need to give up their cat because someone is allergic to them so this is a very heart-warming story we wanted to share.

Puss Cat turned up as a stray in a garden in Eye, a village in Peterborough. She was in very poor condition – she had a severe flea allergy which had caused many open sores.

Karen, whose garden Puss Cat was found, was concerned but also very allergic to cats and so contacted us. Puss Cat was scanned for a microchip and we looked through our lost cat records and databases but no owner came forward. Unfortunately, we had no space at the time to take her in so she was given a place to sleep in Karen’s garden shed while having treatment from the vets for her sores.

Gradually as she healed Karen became very fond of Puss Cat – though at first just spent time with her in the garden. After a while, Puss Cat was given a bed in the corner of the kitchen by the back door. It was separated from the rest of the kitchen by a perspex sheet so that Karen’s allergies did not flare up but so that Puss Cat could feel part of the family. Karen kept a special fleece which she wore only to give Puss Cat some fuss to prevent her fur spreading through the house.

Puss Cat relaxing on her fleece

At Christmas Karen and her family officially adopted Puss Cat and this lovely story shows that with time and patience even people with allergies can enjoy the love and affection of a cat and the joys that pet ownership brings.

Veterinary note: There are now products on the market, which, if used regularly, can allow people who are allergic to felines to keep a cat. In tests, Petal Cleanse alleviated the symptoms of 90 per cent of allergy sufferers. For more information on Petal Cleanse and many other products endorsed by Allergy UK, visit their website www.allergyuk.org or phone them on 01322 619 898.

There are additional tips for managing allergies in our Cats and people leaflet.

If you don’t own a cat but are thinking of getting one, a visit to someone who has a cat or to a Cats Protection adoption centre may indicate whether you are allergic or not – although some people may react to some cats and not others. If you are suspicious that you are allergic, it may be a good idea to speak with your doctor first.