Comments on: Hypoallergenic Cat Or Just A Scam?

By: Amy

Amy — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 02:40:54 +0000

While there are a few testimonials on Brodie’s website, people just aren’t posting positive comments about the Allerca cat outside his website.

I can tell you that I ordered a cat and waited for two years, only to have the company arbitrarily cancel my order one month before the kitten was due to be delivered. Several other people were denied cats because they tested in the severe allergy range (3 or above). It’s well known that people with moderate to mild allergies (2 or below) do well with known hypo-allergenic breeds (see THE SNEEZE FREE CAT OWNER). Siberian cats, especially, work for 80% of people with cat allergies.

Whether or not the Allerca cat is genuine remains to be seen, but the price keeps increasing as Brodie’s credibility is increasingly called into question.

By: Hypoallergenic Cats Denied To High Allergy Sufferers | Itchmo

Hypoallergenic Cats Denied To High Allergy Sufferers | Itchmo — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:15:28 +0000

[…] see who has these hypoallergenic cats. There is Judy Smith who was in the Boston Globe article that we posted up yesterday. She believes that Kiki is truly a hypoallergenic cat. The other person […]

By: Former Allerca Waiting List

Former Allerca Waiting List — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 02:52:27 +0000

Studies have shown that up to a third of people who think they are allergic to cats are actually allergic to dust mites. Allerca has been testing everyone and denying cats to anyone who tests high for cat allergy. It also takes six months for cat dander to build up in a home. Notice that the lady in this article did npt say that she was not having any allergy symptoms, just that they were not severe. The only other person to be shown to have an Allerca was actually a PR person they presented as a Mother of two. Allerca also used to sell a shampoo that could be used to wash dander off of a cat. This would make it easy to create a fake demo cat that could be used to fool most reporters.

By: Traci

Traci — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 19:05:30 +0000

“Hereâ€™s some background, Robert. Get out of the dumpster and read the article - or go back to your troll cave.”

Uh, just maybe that’s uncalled for?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 18:07:37 +0000

Robert said: I have no background information on this company, but it seems to me, the writers of the article are trying to dig up dirt since they will not release their data. Not saying the dirt isnâ€™t for real, but you know how dumpster diving people can get if you donâ€™t give them the information they want.

Here’s some background, Robert. Get out of the dumpster and read the article - or go back to your troll cave.

“Many cat geneticists and allergists from all around the nation are dubious if Allerca has done what they claimed to have accomplished. They have asked Allerca to release their scientific data, but the company has refused ”
“Simon Brodie, the founder of Allerca. He has had a past filled with failed ventures, a criminal conviction, and fraud allegations.
”
“The fact that Brodie refuses to document the science, through an independent study or in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, leaves many skeptical.”

ITCHMO ADMIN: Please refrain from calling other readers “trolls”.

By: Lynne

Lynne — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:52:06 +0000

Imagine what a no kill shelter could do with $6,950.

By: Merlin Marshall

Merlin Marshall — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:09:08 +0000

I’m allergic to cats too, but I have 7 of them. There is some research that continued exposure the animals in question can in some cases reduce the allergic reactions. I’m allergic to pollens, molds, etc too and take an over the counter antihistamine and nasal steroids and seem to not have near as much trouble as I used to.

My point is that the people with the hypoallergenic cat could have “outgrown” the allergy, or if they are allergic to other things, their meds might be impacting the cat allergies too. Then there is the psychological effect as well. Without controlled studies, we can’t know for sure if the hypoallergenic cats really are hypoallergenic. Why hasn’t some researcher bought a couple of the hypoallergenic cats from this guy and done his or her own experiment?

Another good question is what does this cat gene do besides cause allergies in people? What are the longterm health consequences for cats with these mutated genes?

Maybe its for real. On the other hand, by not offering any proof, it does cause room for suspicion that things are not what they are claimed to be.

By: wescott20

wescott20 — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:58:37 +0000

It’s true…it could be a placebo effect, but if it works and unites cat lovers with cats, it’s a good thing. I do think psychology plays a part in a lot of allergy cases where pets are involved…I believe there is a small minority of people who are truly allergic, but certainly not a number as large as 17%. There are just too many cases of people being fine until they find out a cat or dog is in their midst (perhaps the animal had been out of view in a covered carrier) and all of a sudden the person starts sneezing and so on.

By: Robert Davis

Robert Davis — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:32:08 +0000

Being someone that has to take meds for allergies, I’m sure if this lady did not receive a real hypoallergenic cat, she would be sneezing her hed off, or be unable to breathe, etc.

I have no background information on this company, but it seems to me, the writers of the article are trying to dig up dirt since they will not release their data. Not saying the dirt isn’t for real, but you know how dumpster diving people can get if you don’t give them the information they want.

I am curious if a patient is told a cat is hypoallergenic and it wasn’t, would they have reactions? It might be an interesting test to see if there is any psychology behind it all.

Does the company have to provide any data to government bodies before selling this type of cat? That would have been some good information to include in the article.