Has she thought about taking allergy meds or trying immunotherapy shots?

Best of luck, A

Or acupuncture?

I just had to do this. I had two dogs that I had to find homes for, and it was like giving away my children. I never was a dog person (and had only ever had cats before) but I loved my dogs so much. But a divorce and subsequent move to an apartment that I could afford on my own meant I could not keep them. Thankfully I was able to find them both homes, although not together, as I had hoped.

One of the things that has helped me is having the dog's adopted family text me pictures of them every so often, so I know that they are okay and happy.

Having worked for a couple of animal shelters, it is going to be very hard to adopt out adult pets. It will be even harder to get them to stay together.

I would try quite a few things before giving them up, such as replacing every soft flooring and surface in the home first. Plush or microfiber needs to be replaced with real or faux leather and all carpeting has to go.
I would also pay a cleaning company that deals with allergens to do a deep clean, including ducts and vents.
Local shelters and the Humane Society as well as vets would have resources to help.

Additionally, she should see an allergy specialist to try shots or meds and get additional advice on dealing with allergens.

Another (former) shelter caregiver and vet nurse here. I find many doctors are quick to get you out of the office by blaming the pet, when immune system disorders are highly complex and it doesn't always originate with the animal (thus many people are devastated when they give up the pet yet their allergy does not go away).

First and foremost, find a foster home. Beg, plead, find someone to take in your pet while you mull this over. Find a family member or friend if you can to "adopt" who might let you take the pet back if you resolve your allergy. Quercitin (found in honey), stinging nettle and taking showers before bed have been life savers for me; I have severe allergies and asthma (and 2 cats).

We used to live in a major city where renting and pets was not an issue. Then we moved to a rural community in another state and it's far more difficult to find places that rent to people with pets. We were forced by time constraints to give up our alley cat from the city during our second move up here. I wrote a bio for him and when we gave him over to the ASPCA. They provided his id number at the shelter so we could check to make sure he was adopted out. It was a heart wrenching thing but we were really backs to the wall. He was adopted out within three weeks since he was relatively young.

I can see it being harder to adopt out a pair. I would try to find a no kill shelter or a shelter that will at least let you keep tabs on the kitties in case they can't find them a home you can take them back and try to find an alternative for them.

So sorry it has to come to this for her and I hope she can find a solution that's as painless as possible for her and the kitties.

Removing carbs from the diet has helped many people kick their allergies.

It's the allergy that needs to be removed, not the pets. Even if she gets rid of them, she'll still suffer any time she's near other cats.

I've had amazing results with acupuncture...two years now without any allergy medication. Good luck!

There just aren't enough adoptive families out there. Those of us in dog rescue work hard to find homes and it is tough. For the cat rescuers it is almost impossible, there are just so many that need homes.

I hope this encourages AT readers to get their next animal from a shelter. Adopt...don't shop!

oh, i am very sad for your sister and her pets. to be going through that - knowing the separation must happen (if shots, acupuncture, air filters, etc. can't help) and then having it be delayed by lack of placement options. like ripping off a bandage v-e-r-y slowly ... sorry - and best wishes for the best outcomes for all.

i hope family members or friends can adopt your sister's cats (so she can feel better knowing where they are and maybe visit them) and that they can stay together.

Never had yet to let go a pet, but I did adopt Marius, my friend's cat when she found herself in the same situation as your sister. Althought I already had 2 cats, I knew and loved Marius for a long time and I believe that my friend felt better knowing that he'd be in a loving environment. It's been 3 years now, and we're doing fine together. When my friend passes by, she always pet him with love and thank me for taking him with me. I hope your sister can find someone too!

How heartbreaking for your sister, and what a strange situation to become allergic to pets she's had for years. I'm sure she's exhausted all possibilities, but one thought I had was the cat food. Did she try switching them to a high quality grain-free cat food like Orijen or Petcurian? I ask because I switched my cat and it made a huge difference in the amount of shedding and dander she was putting out there, not to mention hairballs.

I would also suggest looking at a RabbitAir air purifier. Some air purifiers don't really do anything, but my RabbitAir really made a difference in my allergies.

Is she positive it's the cats? What about mold in the home, or nearby construction... I really hope it turns out to be something else because it's horrible to give up your pets.

Are the cats indoor only? If not I would look at outside factors that she may be allergic to instead of the cats themselves i.e... weeds/ pollen/grass that the cats may roll in while outside? Have there been changes in flea powders (think Jan Brady) / flea collars / even foods or treats the cats may be eating that are different? My heart goes out to her, we rescued an English Bulldog that made me ridiculously sick the first year we had him...Rather than give him up I changed his diet, changed his treats, bathing routine, flea treatments, EVERYTHING before finally clearing up whatever it was about him that was making me sick... we had him another 10 years w/o a single flareup.

I support KingKathryn's suggestion. Acupuncture works really well in treating allergic reactions.

Why doesn't she get the allergy shots?

There are wipes you can get to use on your cats (instead of bathing) that help cut down on dander/flying fur. Getting someone else to brush the cats so they don't shed so much would probably help, too. This isn't a long-term solution but might help in the interim. Also, using a sinus rinse daily might help, if her allergies are sinus-related rather than the itchy skin/rash kind. Frankly, I don't think the HEPA filters make a huge difference. She might also want to get tested by an allergist to make sure it is the cats and not something else, if she hasn't already. (I have lots of inhalant allergies, including mild cat allergies, even though I still have cats.)

One of my cats came from someone who had to give her cat away for the same reasons. It was very upsetting for her. She had posted on our community message board that she was looking for a new home for her cat, and I was looking for a second cat, so it worked out OK. We did a kind of staged adoption--her cat came over for a few hours, then a weekend, then permanently, in part to make sure she got along with my other cat and partly to make it easier on her original owner. Her original owner came over to visit from time to time (until I moved away), and I still send her photos occasionally.

I don't know anything about pet allergies, so I'll ask this: is it common for people to suddenly develop pet allergies? I can understand how someone doesn't spend time with pets wouldn't necessarily know they were allergic until they or their significant other had the pet, but how does someone who has had cats for so long suddenly develop a cat allergy?

On the topic at hand: I hope there are there family members or friends who can take in the pets so they're still together, but barring that, I wonder if the dander in everytrhing is barring her from getting any relief. Confining the cats to one part of the house for the time she isn't home would help. If she works from home, spending so much time around pet dander is exacerbating a problem that might otherwise be managed with medication. Also, get rid of cat beds and blankets on the sofa (does anyone think the cats actually sleep on the blanket on the sofa all the time?)

Oh I am sooo sad for your sister. I live with my cats and I can imagine how hard it was.

what is she gonna do if she gets rid of the pets & then discovers she wasn't allergic to them & it was something else?

get to an allergy specialist. i have a chronic illness & some drs suggested i was just allergic to random things. guess what, i wasn't. it's hard to tell what anyone is allergic to.

if it is allergies, just take meds until they pass away.

I also echo that she consider whether the cats are really the cause, if she had them for years before this problem arose. My doctor told me that my dog was causing some health issues, which later were resolved (and turned out not to be dog allergies!).

She can try a cleanse, specifically for the Liver. There is herbal support for this.

PS As far as 'no carbs,' that can be healthy in SO MANY WAYS. Please see "Rosedale Diet" for details. Unlike many others, he is not selling anything, he's trying to get people healthy. The first few chapters, giving the scientific background, are easily readable. I found his diet a bit complex but gave it my best shot and it turned out to actually be really easy by just cutting out the obvious carbs and not worrying about things like beans.

And by the way, I'd gotten to that point where I thought weight loss must be impossible because of my age - nothing worked. This did - 40 pounds in 40 weeks. The diet is actually not about weight loss though, it's about saving ourselves from the so-called "chronic diseases." It turns out that most aren't chronic at all - they're just given that name because the drug companies have developed medications that do nothing more than relieve some symptoms and, because they don't actually get rid of the cause, you have to take them the rest of your life. Gosh, how lucrative. My diabetes was reversed completely, triglyceride levels are way down, AND I look and feel better.

Rosedale diet was written over 10 years ago and he didn't yet have the info about how we need to avoid (LIKE THE PLAGUE) hydrogenated oils. So he recommends canola oil in some of his recipes. Please realize that is all industry lies - canola is not only made into indigestible monster molecules via that extra hydrogen atom (which keeps the oils from going rancid quickly and therefore Big Ag can sell their cheap crops) but it's ALSO, from the get-go, genetically modified. There's no such thing as canola (it stands for Canadian Oil Company) - it's GMO rapeseed. And the anti-saturated fat study - they used only ONE - was faulty. So coconut oil, animal fats, etc are actually VERY good for you.

Kick carbs and hydrogenated oils to the curb, and I bet you a million dollars your allergies will subside if not disappear altogether.

One the subject of sudden allergy onset- it's more common than one thinks. A lot of allergies can be nursed into dormancy when you're young if it's only a mild sensitivity. (Like building up a tolerance.) By contrast, I've heard of a lot of people who were only slightly sensitive to certain pet odors becoming full-on allergic quite suddenly, as if their body's given them a two week notice over minor repeated offenses. I have no idea why this happens (not a doctor) but I know a lot of people this has happened to (it's happened to my sister around three time).

If they're well behaved cats, I would ask if there are any pet friendly elderly communities in the area you could advertise in. A lot of elderly people are happy for the companionship of a pet, but cannot handle the training of a puppy or kitten.

* I mean your sister's allergies. Those cats are both completely adorable. If I were in the position to adopt, I would in a second. But I'm in Oregon, and am looking at maybe having to sell my house and move.

It's strange that she would suddenly develop an allergy to the cats. There's probably something else going on. Has she consulted an allergist that can test for specific substances to which she may be allergic? If she really is allergic to her cats, it's the cat dander that's usually the problem. Dander gets worse as pets - both cats and dogs - grow older. Years ago a woman who owned a pet store told me to clean my cats to help with my allergy symptoms. I routinely use a damp sponge on my cats. I rub them down pretty agressively. It gets rid of the dander and hair and results in less grooming which in turn results in less dander. Plus, they love it. And I don't have itchy eyes.

Do your best to keep your pets. They are not disposable.

Don't give up completely just yet! At the age of 15 I fully developed a cat allergy (and dog) in the two months between our second cat's death and the adoption of 2 kittens. I was also very allergic to my sister's cats. I took allergy shots for five years. It helped as my first apartment came with a stray cat that I tolerated well. A couple of years later I had amassed 4 cats (a few were my roommate's) and was doing okay. I had to give my cats to friends and family when I moved into family student housing for five years but when we bought our home I was quick to adopt a new cat. It was a ROUGH transition where I ended each day with an asthma attack, but eventually my immune system improved. Same thing happened when we adopted a puppy (that didn't work out) and recently a new kitten. I take a half a tablet of generic allegra (or zyrtec?) and on occasion, a puff of an inhaler. I keep the house very clean (dust allergy) and I try not to touch them.... but I would give the allergy shots a try if she's really motivated.

It's always a difficult position to be in when you might have to give up your pets, but it's even worse when they're so attached to each other. I hope your sister doesn't see these and think people are judging her, but I think all of the people here are just trying to offer potential solutions that don't involve giving up the cats and their own experiences, which might help her understand that there are other avenues to take or information to research.

Giving up a pet is so, so emotionally difficult. Between feeling like you've failed your beloved cats and the criticisms, hostility, and "why don't you just"'s people dole out, your poor sister is in for a rough few months. I am glad she has you to help her through what will almost definitely be a trying time.

For women in particular, changes in hormone levels can really impact the way your body response to histamines. My mother was deathly allergic to eggs as a child, but after giving birth to me the reaction but disappeared. My cousin, on the other end, went from being able to scarf down omelettes to violently allergic when she hit her late twenties. Your immune system's reactions to your environment does change, I know several people who are non-reactive to their cats but highly allergic to other cats.

Also, if she had immunotherapy treatments years ago that allowed her to live with cats, they may have 'worn off". I had a decade and a half of weekly allergy shots and in the past two years have noticed that my reactions are growing stronger to things I never felt sniffly at before.

This is heartbreaking. Your pets are adorable.

If none of the allergy remedies above work for you, you could consider giving them up to a reputable no-kill shelter. I know this sounds awful, but the one I have in mind does such an amazing job, it is the only reason I would suggest it. The PAWS Chicago organization does an amazing job matching pets with owners (which is key to a long term successful relationship). Is there anything similar close to you that uses the same methodology?

Check them out at http://www.pawschicago.org/

I would call PAWS to talk to them and have them help you figure something out. They may have a recommeded shelter in your area or some other solution. If nothing else, it is an 8 hour drive to Chicago from Toronto.

I know several people who have developed severe food allergies suddenly in adulthood, so it seems reasonable that one could develop a cat allergy as well. I am very allergic to cats since childhood and can tell when a particular cat is setting it off - it is hard to mistake if you pet a cat, touch your face, and suddenly your eyes swell shut and you cannot breathe. With some cats, simply being in the same house makes me ill, but I recover as soon as I leave and shower. I also know from experience that shot don't cure it and allergy meds only make me woozy and tired. For those who haven't experienced severe pet allergies, imagine that you have a serious cold every single day with convulsive sneezing, sore throat, and as a bonus, your eyes swell shut and turn bright red. It is not something that you can just live with and maintain your sanity.

As much as your sister loves her cats, if she is using air filters and medicating herself with shots and it still doesn't work, she really does need to find them new homes. Frankly, I am not sure I would be willing to commit to years of acupuncture treatments in order to keep an animal in my home, though maybe I'd give it a try just to see. Is it something you'd have to do on a weekly basis?

It may take time, but I am sure that someone out there will care for them. They look pretty spry and healthy. Maybe she could throw in a bonus for people who are hesitant to take on older cats...like a small adoption fund to help with any future vet bills.

To everyone suggesting allergy shots, please consider: even with insurance they can easily cost upwards of $300 a month, and more than that it takes YEARS for immunotherapy to start to make a difference in your day to day life (for most people). I would still wonder if there are other reasons her reactions developed, but this suggestion isn't very helpful.

1/3 of Canada's population lives in greater Toronto. I think in that case, it's just a matter of time. Cats coming from a home with a ton of information about their temperament, needs, etc will have a great advantage over the rescued street kitties that make up a large percentage of the other cats that need a home. The fact that they are good with dogs is another huge bonus. I think it's just a matter of time. Can a family member or friend not take them temporarily to ease the allergy issue?

I have to agree with the suggestions for looking into other causes mentioned (like flea meds, what they might be getting into, changing their food, and more)--as well as looking into alternative treatments and shots. The only way to know for certain (at least in the USA) is to see a specialist.

For years a general practitioner came up with all kinds of crazy suggestions about what I am allergic to and I took his word for it, until I had a major flare up that even caused me to miss work. The specialist was able to pin it down to mold--so sensitive to mold she freaked out when the test point swelled like a wasp sting and a very mild allergy to cats.

I am fine around some cats though. It all depends on the environment (no carpet houses help) and cats with the right diet produce low dander. If those two factors are in place, I have even been able to live with a room mate's cat as long as they stayed out of my bedroom. I just took an over the counter allergy med during shedding season or if the mold count was high I had to get a prescription to cover both.

Instead of letting them sleep directly on a heated blanket, she should try to cover it and other things they sit on regularly with something that is easy to machine wash a few times a week.

It is not strange. All of the women in my family had massive changes in their allergies in their late twenties and thirties, many a result of hormone shifts. My mother, after giving birth to me, was no longer allergic to eggs after having trouble her entire life eating cookies and cakes, let alone actual eggs. Immune systems change based on age, hormone levels, other illnesses, and environmental factors that we have little to no control over.

My sister went from being allergic all her life to cats to now so tolerable that she barely reacts to her 2 barn cats, though they aren't allowed in her bedroom so the cats happily take over her daughter's room. This happened after the family left their filtered suburban home and moved into rural life with a working farm (read: lots of dirt and animal poop). I don't know if it's just coincidence but my sister do think the constant exposure to pollen and animal stuff built up her tolerance.

As Esan suggested, look around in elderly communities for people seeking pet companionship but can't handle the rambunctiousness of a kitten. 2 cats who gives eachother attention will be less pressure on the new owner.

We recently adopted 2 11-year-old brother and sister dogs because of something like this. Their owner since puppyhood fell in love with a man who is severely allergic to dogs (like, face starts bleeding if he itches it with any dog dander on him). He is a naturopathic doctor and has tried everything to try to fix this, to no avail. We ended up buying her house and adopting her dogs, and she visits them once a week to take them for a hike, and housesits when we're away. A great solution for everyone, but very difficult to find, I know.

I can imagine how heartbreaking this must be. I am terribly attached to my dogs and I cannot imagine having to give them up. I actually go on vacation only rarely because even a week long separation from my dogs is agonizing for me.
Good luck finding caring homes for your pets.

I read all the entries in this thread with great interest and I appreciate all the alternative suggestions provided. Annie O, thanks for mentioning the Rosedale Diet, I have been trying to tame my addiction to carbs and I will look into this.

Your sister's story sounds just like mine.

I have severe asthma that wasn't diagnosed until my late 20s. Part of why I was tested is that I couldn't breathe in my own home, constantly hacking and severely wheezing. My doctor asked me if I had a pet. Of course I did - a beautiful cat I'd adopted and loved named Melly. Melly had long fluffy hair and the biggest set of green cat eyes I'd ever seen. She was the sweetest fur ball and a very loving animal. I had hoped to keep her for her full life. But during the two years that she lived with me, my breathing had worsened.

I first went into denial and insisted I'd never give Melly away. But when my doc told me I was looking at daily treatments on a Nebulizer if I couldn't get my breathing under control, I finally gave up. I went on an active search to find Melly another home and was determined to do all I could to help her during the transition.

I was friendly with one of the cashiers at my local Whole Foods and mentioned it to him one night while shopping there. His eyes lit up. His widowed mother's cat had just passed away and she was very depressed over it (the cat was quite old when it passed and was the family pet). Long story short, I took Melly to meet the mom and left her with all of her toys, her kitty bed and scratch posts. I told the mom to give her two weeks to adjust and if not, to call me to come get her.

A week went by and the son called telling me that I would have to take Melly back. She was still hidden under his mom's bed, wasn't eating and they were worried. I agreed to come get her that weekend. Two days later, the son called again and said "never mind." Melly was now constantly in his mom's lap. She'd coaxed Melly out from under the bed with a chicken breast and the two were now best friends.

I visited one more time three months later. Melly, who'd always been overweight, was a little thinner, and her coat was very shinny. She rubbed up against my legs and purred while I was there but it was clear to me that she'd moved on and had found her human soul mate. The mom was very happy as well, loved Melly, and hugged me twice before I left.

I don't ever condone giving up pets for convenience, but sometimes there are circumstances beyond our control. Breathing issues (due to allergies or asthma) have to be taken seriously. Yes, it is traumatic to have to give a precious pet away and I feel for your sister having gone through it myself. Hopefully, she can be active in the process and will have the same kind of happy ending I had.

I married a man who's allergic to cats. We tried to make it work, because I just couldn't part with my cat. But, 4 months into marriage, my poor husband was always stuffed up, so I decided to choose his well being over my kitty. Fortunately, we were able to give the cat to friends of ours who have kids with various mental health issues. The cat has been super therapeutic for them, so I feel less sad about having the cat gone. Plus, my house is way cleaner and I find I am less stuffy too - perhaps I was developing an allergy??

It's not at all strange for someone to develop allergies at different points in their lives.
I had no luck with my allergy shots (and haven't found much scientific support for them since), allergy meds provide only temporary and partial relief, and eventually reduce in effectiveness for many when used for long periods. I use meds long term to control my pollen and animal dander allergies, which occur in Toronto almost year-round.
I love animals, but can't have any pets. I pet cats and dogs only when I can run to a sink to wash my hands :-), or get my better half to pet 'em for me.

A lot of people posting here seem to think allergies aren't real, or must be caused by something other than a beloved pet. Please let your sister know this is not her fault. It's not because of something she's eating, it's not from some nebulous and undefined 'toxin' (a favourite non-reason for many). I'm assuming that she's found a way to determine that it's the cats and not something in the house (mold is a big one, and really common), and is forced to get new homes for her sweet cats.
This situation stinks, but pretending she's not allergic to cats won't get her anywhere. All my best.

As others have noted, I am going to chime in too from personal experience that allergies may be originating from another source - even if you have tested positive for allergies from cats, etc. It could be you have become sensitive, and now reacting to a host of things which are not themselves the actual, original cause.

I came down with asthma out of the blue almost two years ago (and tested negative for all allergies, btw - to help put the reliability of those tests into focus.) For over a year, I suffered through the equivalent of chronic, and pretty severe, bronchitis and tons of side effects from the standard asthma meds. I got so desperate to find the true root cause that in a "why the hell not try it" moment, I turned to diet (started eating paleo) and was able to control my symptoms very thoroughly and quite quickly. What I learned along the way from tons of reading and research is allergies, asthma, skin problems, digestive problems, arthritis - basically a whole host of seemingly unrelated chronic and common diseases - have at their root food allergies causing inflammation in your small intestines and manifesting in all sorts of ways. Perhaps you can find a short-term foster with friends or family members for 30 days, try out a "clean" diet, and see if the problem isn't controlled.

I don't think anyone believes allergies aren't real, but they believe it's possible that some allergies might be other kinds of allergies that have been misdiagnosed.

Well, there is one thing that I can add on the allergy side - ask your sister if she has had her TSH (thyroid) tested, because new hypothyroidism can present with severe allergy symptoms, which have nothing to do with the cats.
As for placing the cats that she loves very much - if she cannot find a great home for them - I would find a reputable rescue organization, and offer a large donation (if possible commiserate with an estimation of what the lifetime care of the cats might be), as these organizations do have good foster homes, and do, with diligence ultimately place fosters in well screened homes - the problem being that there just isn't enough for the amount of cats that need homes. So if it were me, I would offer up all of the funds that I possibly could in order to make my cats the ones that they choose to help..

Allergy shots don't work for everyone and they're not effective when you still live with the pets. I feel for your sister. My partner is allergic to my cat, and I live in fear of the day that I will have to give her up. I hope it never comes.

We're dealing with the allergy using the following strategies:
1- no carpets anywhere in the apartment.
2- spray down and vacuum every 2 weeks all of the upholstery in the apartment using this product: https://www.allergycanada.com/allergy-canada-products/product/categories/household-products/products/allersearch-adms-carpet-cleaning.html?tx_ttproducts_pi1%5BbackPID%5D=156&cHash=d0506d89f3afab480c2fe3f814563520
ships from US, but larger bottle: http://allergystore.com/allergencontrol.htm
3- we keep the cat out of the bedroom and wash our bed linens using this product: https://www.allergycanada.com/allergy-canada-products/product/categories/household-products/products/allersearch-allergen-wash-50-loads.html?tx_ttproducts_pi1%5BbackPID%5D=156&cHash=61d4e82c286493b6bd1be0a3b3d1173f
4- I brush the cat every day using this product The AllerPet Solution: http://allergystore.com/cat_allergies.htm

These products do work - I was pretty surprised.

I had to give away my 2 cats when my husband (then boyfriend) and I bought a house together 7 years ago; he has asthma and is very allergic. The younger of the two, had grown up with the older one and I really wanted them to stay together. I tried so hard to find a friend, friend of a friend or family member to take them both so I could visit them once in a while. Unfortunately, there was a date limit because I needed to move out of my apartment and into the new house, so I ended up giving them away separately to two nice strangers. I'm not going to lie, it was a sad day, with lots of tears, and I still miss them terribly. But, I kept in touch with the new owners by email, and was surprised to find out that they adapted quite well. The key is to find people you trust will give them the love and care they need so you know they are happy. That's all they really need. Cats are strong animals.

Sometimes allergies are just allergies and it is best to get rid of a pet. The worst thing is having 100 people tell you to not do what you know in your heart needs to be done. Has she tried to look for shelters in the suburbs?

When my husband and I met I had a dog and he had 2 cats. We tried everything to mesh households and it didn't work. The cats had to go. This of course was a month after Katrina when the world was inundated with homeless pets. We live in Chicago. I called 25 shelters and got screamed at by a number of animal activists suggesting that pet ownership is for life and my husband should fine a new wife. Instead, shelter number 26 said they would take them. They were in a fancy suburb outside of Chicago and way down on our call list. A few months after we got rid of them, my husband tested positive for cat allergies. It certainly helped assuage my guilt. Now we imagine them having the time of their lives roaming around a huge mansion in the burbs being very well love. Yes, it is hard. I am not trying to downplay that. But it is something you have to go through and grieve as you make sure you can find for them the best home possible.

I agree with trying any allergy solutions she can before giving up the cats. Older cats that need to go together are some of the hardest to get adopted (this is coming from a shelter volunteer)

Personal story -- my cat has become increasingly aggressive towards my other cat over the past six months. We have a guarantee for life that the no-kill shelter will take her back, but we are making it an absolute last resort. We have tried every behavioral trick, met with behaviorists, gone to vets, slept in separate rooms, applied to My Cat from Hell, spent $$$ on herbal remedies, and finally...an anti-depressant seems to finally be helping. I know that she will be VERY difficult to adopt out and we're trying everything to keep her in the home she's known for 7 years.

I've never had to give up a pet due to allergies, but I do know a family who adopted two adult cats that came as a pair from the shelter. And they are now very loved and happy cats. So I'm sure someone will want them.

thanks for the sensible response. so many of the responses seem to want to deal with increasingly unlikely scenarios, when the most likely cause are the cats.

I had a severe cat allergy as a teenager. I am still allergic, in some cases very allergic (including allergy induced asthma). I found that different cats cause allergies or not, also,two cats are worse than others. If I was your sister, I would give the cats into foster care (friends, family) and start from scratch. have one cat only. find out if you are allergic to both cats or just one. I also strongly recommend antihistamine and immunotherapy. I went from asthmatic/crazy allergy to planning on my first foster cat this fall.
Don't let an allergy control your life! it's not like having diabetis that never goes away.

I agree, if the allergy is too bad you need to get rid of the cats. (My suggestion above is to foster the cats and check how bad the allergy is and whether it's against both cats equally)

i know a lot of people who think allergies aren't real, but caused by something else (each thing less likely than the last). and i've had more than one conversation with someone who loved their pet, but didn't want to face the possibility that they were allergic to it, despite exhausting all other reasonable causes.
it's not that difficult to determine that an allergy is caused by cats (or dogs, or rabbits, feathers), and not something else.
any responsible pet owner takes steps to figure this out before considering giving it up, sounds like she has.

I developed a cat allergy when I was around 18 (I'm 23 now) and I've fought it tooth and nail, because I love pets so much! I'm only allergic to cats (not dogs), and adopted a kitten about 6 months ago (I just moved to a place far away from my family, alone, and needed a buddy). I've helped my allergies most simply with allergy shots, which I give myself once a week. I adopted a kitten because kittens usually have less dander, and wanted to get used to my particular cat as it got older, so I wouldn't be as allergic to it. I noticed when I would go home to my parent's house, I would be so allergic to their cat, but after long stays (Christmas, etc), I would develop a resistance to it and it wouldn't bother me as much, which is kind of how allergy shots work. I couple my allergy shots with normal over-the-counter allergy medicine, and had a really severe cat allergy beforehand. It can be done!

I would look into the cats' diet, try the highest quality food you can afford. In theory that should reduce shedding and dander. Regular brushing might help too.
I am allergic to some cats and not others. I do a lot better in homes with outdoor cats than indoor cats (I guess because they do most of their shedding outside).
Try to wash all fabrics they come in touch with at least once a week and always keep the cats out of the bedroom.
Rule out other allergies like dust mites and mold.
They have non-drowsy allergy meds you can take every day.
I like the other ideas mentioned here too.... I might try those for my allergies.

We've got a cat allergy shampoo (for the cat), cat wipes, a furminator (for excess hair), grainfree food, all natural cat litter (plus OTC allergy meds). So far, we've been able to greatly reduce my BF's allergies with these steps. I think the cat litter has made a big difference - it is the Arm & Hammer Naturals, comes off her with minimal licking. Might be worth investigating.

Please Please Please find someone to foster them on a temporary basis (a month or so) to be sure it is absolutely allergies. A friend of mine was told she had developed allergies to her cat, she got rid of it and it turned out to be a thyroid issue and it broke her heart. Doctors always look for the easiest/ quick fix and sometimes its not the right answer. There are a number of things she could be allergic too, I mean I live in Toronto and Im constantly having issues with things in the air, like pollen or mold spores. Its a year round battle for me. Also if it is the cats consider using the wipes as those worked amazingly well for my father with his severe cat allergy. We also had the cat groomed about every 6 weeks which helped with the dander and fur.

I don't get it. She had them for a long time and now is hyper-allergenic. Has she seen and allergist and had a full gamut of tests done. Maybe she has brought something in to her life that is making her react. I had one dog I had to give away only because he was mad as a hatter and would try to always trip me on stairs and herd my newborn. He was funny and wonderful but unmanageable. Unfortunately I gave him to a horrible woman who promised to keep in touch and then disconnected every point of contact. I always wanted to go by her property and call him over to the fence and take him back. I regret falling for her sob story. Tell you sis to keep looking. Someone will take them on.

Good call on the high quality food! We feed this type to my cats and they shed very minimally

Heartbreaking. I have two cats that I adore (both adult cats adopted from a shelter), even though I have allergies. I manage mine with daily medicine, a neti pot, and air filters. I also discovered that when I changed jobs my allergies decreased dramatically, which means I'd been blaming a lot of my reactions on the wrong thing. Something in the old work environment was setting them off big time. Please confirm with a specialist that it's a cat allergy.
Of course everyone's experience is different but one thing that I didn't see mentioned is that the allergens in a cat's fur is not the fur itself but rather in the saliva that they use to clean themselves. Believe it or not, bathing your cat on a regular basis will cut down on this allergen. I know, most cats hate water, but if you have a cat you can gradually coax into a little wash down now and then it will help a lot.
I'm sorry to make it worse than it already is, and I know commenters mean well, but I think it's unrealistic to think "someone will take them." That's just not true for the majority of homeless pets. Please, please, above all else, if you have to go the shelter route, find a no-kill shelter. (The ASPCA is *not* no-kill) They are usually smaller operations. Check out the Shelter Pet Project on Facebook, which can you link you up with local places.

I am not sure where you got your information, but Canola oil is a naturally derived oil from the rapeseed plant and is not hydrogenated. "Canola" was created to avoid using the word "rape" in its name and was chosen because Canada was a major grower of rapeseed (which has many uses) after WWII.

*I should say that it is "typically" not hydrogenated

Rehoming a pet should always be a last resort, but there are some things you can do to improve the odds of finding a good home. If you can't get them into a no-kill shelter, the best bet is to try and find a home for them yourself. (Please do NOT take them to an open-admission shelter!)

The first step should be getting your pet completely up to date on all medical care and shots. This will make it less work, expense and risk to an adopter.

Next spend some time writing an ad to put up on Craigslist, and post flyers in nearby coffee shops, grocery stores, gyms, veterinary offices, libraries, pet stores etc. Advertise your pet in the most positive light you can (but don't lie) and list everything that might help persuade someone. For example, say that the cat is dog-friendly, up to date on shots, perfect with the litterbox, doesn't damage furniture, is spayed, loves being petted, likes kids etc. Anything that will help preemptively answer questions someone might ask. Infuse your ad with your pet's personality. Does she have emerald eyes? Love watching birds through the window? Sleep in the bathroom sink? The goal is to include anything that will help potential new owners envision your pet in their home and family. INCLUDE GOOD PHOTOS! I do some work in pet rescue and I have found that the ads I write for my fosters that are very specific and positive always get the best response. Decent photos are also critical!

Finally, screen anyone who responds carefully - get a vet reference if you can, as well as personal references. Do a Google search. Charge a small fee to make sure they are going to a reputable home. Get an address, phone number and email to stay in touch and check on things after the adoption.

Also, while PAWS Chicago is indeed wonderful, Chicago itself is already inundated with homeless dogs and cats, so I do not advise making the drive here with your animals.

I think there's two angles one could take. I don't think it's realistic to think someone will take them; it's why I rearranged a lot of things about my life (and wallet) when I was asked if I could take on a pet. I didn't want it going to a shelter when I could intervene directly. But in some ways, I don't think it's unrealistic to constantly rearrange every single thing about your life to accommodate cats. I am sympathetic to people who are at the brink and can't accommodate their pets any more than they have already.

D'oh. I meant " I don't think it's realistic to constantly rearrange every single thing about your life to accommodate cats."

I have really bad allergies and we got a poodle. I was fine the first week and then super sick after that. What worked for me was a combination of good quality air purifiers in the main rooms, a daily dose of flonase (for the nose), claritin and regular doses of flovent (asthma inhaler).

I think "Gotmilk" really said it all. Please try those options before you rehome. Adult cats are hard to get adopted and it is so hard on the animal leaving the home that they know.

How heartbreaking for your sister! I cannot imagine being in that position. My husband is so allergic to animals he was hospitalized in college with a collapsed lung. We however have four dogs, and cats and horses are in our near future. I listened to a lecture by David Wolfe who mentioned taking a 1/2 a teaspoon of celtic sea salt in warm water daily to manage allergies ( he referenced allergies to cats in particular ). My husband does this every day and does not react at all to cats or dogs. He may get a hive if he comes in contact with their saliva. The amount of salt can be adjusted depending on severity. Additionally, our dogs are on a raw food diet ( which is fantastic for cats ) and they are healthier with less dander and shedding. Here is an article that has a ton of suggestions that we also have employed with great success.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/08/24/allergy-season-hits-us-with-a-vengeance.aspx?e_cid=20110824_DNL_art_1
I hope there is a nugget of wisdom in here for your sister. Best wishes for a happy outcome.

Just so folks know, animals CAN be euthanized at "no-kill" shelters. If the pet has a severe illness or (more commonly) shows any signs of aggression, many no-kills will euthanize. Think about the liability if they adopted an animal they knew to show aggression. And do not think your pet "would never do that". Shelters are extremely stressful. Most (good) no-kills will work with people though, and are willing to call you if that happens. But what then? Would you have a Plan B if you were suddenly with these pets again, and think of the confusion and devastation it would cause them. Try first to find family or friends to adopt them.

Just so folks know, animals CAN be euthanized at "no-kill" shelters. If the pet has a severe illness or (more commonly) shows any signs of aggression, many no-kills will euthanize. Think about the liability if they adopted an animal they knew to show aggression. And do not think your pet "would never do that". Shelters are extremely stressful. Most (good) no-kills will work with people though, and are willing to call you if that happens. But what then? Would you have a Plan B if you were suddenly with these pets again, and think of the confusion and devastation it would cause them. Try first to find family or friends to adopt them.

Just so folks know, animals CAN be euthanized at "no-kill" shelters. If the pet has a severe illness or (more commonly) shows any signs of aggression, many no-kills will euthanize. Think about the liability if they adopted an animal they knew to show aggression. And do not think your pet "would never do that". Shelters are extremely stressful. Most (good) no-kills will work with people though, and are willing to call you if that happens. But what then? Would you have a Plan B if you were suddenly with these pets again, and think of the confusion and devastation it would cause them. Try first to find family or friends to adopt them.

Whoa, seriously I only hit Submit Comment once. Moderator, please delete the excessive comments. Not sure what happened there (I will say it's not the first time this has happened on AT, and it doesn't happen on other blogs).

I have had severe allergies and asthma pretty much my whole life. I'm allergic to cats but we always had them and I manage with a combination of allergy shots and an inhaler. The allergy drugs that are available now are so much better than they used to be. If your sister doesn't mind taking medications there might be something out there that would work for her. We also vacuum every week and I wash my hands after handling the cats. But hey, I'd vacuum every day if it meant keeping my cats! :-) Tell your sister to take care and I hope she can figure something out.

My husband is highly allergic to most animals, and extremely allergic to cats, plus he has asthma. However, we have two pet cats. He tried several different allergy medicines until he found the perfect one that makes the allergy non-existent. We only keep the cats in areas with hardwood, they don't sleep with us, and of course we clean.

Not every solution works for every person, but I try everything possible before giving up a pet. It's near impossible to re-home adult cats unless it's with a family or friend. The population of homeless cats is HUGE.

Certainly, giving up the cats is traumatic for the owner. But equal consideration should be given to the trauma these cats will surely endure leaving the only home they have known their entire lives.

My parents have a cat that I have been only very mildly allergic to for 10+ years. Last year I thought I had developed a much worse reaction (needed 2 allergy meds every day instead of none, and it still wasn't working). It turned out to be a mold problem in their basement! Now that they got the mold cleaned up (it only took 1 treatment), they still have the cat and I can visit for weeks with no allergy problems. Definitely get that checked by a professional because this mold wasn't something my parents or I would have recognized.

i'd advise your sister to take every medical step (western medicine, acupuncture, homeopathic, naturopathic, etc.) that she can think of before giving up the cats. there are SO many unwanted cats out there that the older ones, especially the ones that must go in pairs, don't stand a very good chance.

since she's in toronto, the western medicine treatments should be covered by OHIP. her GP should be able to give her a requisition for an allergy specialist. i don't think OHIP will cover the alternative medicine treatments, but they're worth considering. also, how does she know that the cats are a problem but the dog is not?

i'd advise your sister to take every medical step (western medicine, acupuncture, homeopathic, naturopathic, etc.) that she can think of before giving up the cats. there are SO many unwanted cats out there that the older ones, especially the ones that must go in pairs, don't stand a very good chance.

since she's in toronto, the western medicine treatments should be covered by OHIP. her GP should be able to give her a requisition for an allergy specialist. i don't think OHIP will cover the alternative medicine treatments, but they're worth considering. also, how does she know that the cats are a problem but the dog is not?

This is such a difficult dilemma and I totally understand because I struggled with giving away a dog with behavioral issues. I ended up by trying multiple strategies. But your sister is only able to make the best decision she can with the info she has right now.

My recommendation is to try some harm reduction techniques and if those dont work then go to Plan B. Plan B would be to do all you can to get your pet adopted into a loving home while avoiding overburdened shelters. Though I respect many of my physician brethren many of them arent always right in their diagnosis and many are uneducated about the interaction between diet and allergy. So seriously give a thought to alot of the informative posts on this thread.

Harm Reduction Techniques
If one step doesnt work go to the next and see if it will work.
1. Get rid of wall to wall carpets/curtains, vacuum rugs/upholstery, clean sheets/comforters and other soft furnishing frequently etc as described upthread
2. Open your windows everyday for a few minutes and turn on fans to move allergen heavy indoor air into the outdoors. Indoor air quality is notoriously bad in northern climes especially during the winter. Just opening windows and doors can do a world of difference by reducing the concentration of provoking indoor allergens. (FYI this is the opposite of what we recommend for people with outdoor allergies. To them we say keep windows closed during allergy season).
3. Try changing your pets diet ( as described upthread). If they are eating things that are irritating or inflammatory your cats will shed more and produce more dander.
4. Try confining cats to one area of the house to see if this makes a difference. Do this sequentially (one cat, then the other cat, then both cats) so you can see which cat is contributing to the allergen load and which pet might be more provoking.
5. Go on an food elimination diet but tell your doctor before you do. (Also be prepared for scoffing from your doctor that there is no randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) showing the effectiveness of a food elimination diet. Ignore the scoffing, and test for yourself empirically). The gut is the largest immune organ in the body and is the site where most of the allergens in our environments are presented to our immune system. There are many foods you might be eating (peanuts, eggs, citrus, dairy, wheat etc) that may be acting in a synergistic or cumulative effect to make your cat allergies worse. These foods wont be detected well via a blood or skin prick test but nonetheless might be contributing to your allergic picture. I have found many people who eliminate a provoking food allergen from their diet and experience reduction in the severity of their symptoms from asthma, psoriasis and many other allergic/inflammation based diseases.
6. If steps 1-5 above dont work then foster your pets for 2 months. If your allergy gets better then you have your answer and can work to find them a good home. If your allergies dont get better then at least you know you can continue getting furry positive affirmation from your pets.

If you have to place your pets use your informal and career network to find them a home-look at it in the same way as when you are looking for a job. Tell everyone ( literally everyone) that you need to find a good home. Write a snappy ad with pictures and explain the cute little quirks of your pets. If you go the shelter route make sure that your ad makes clear they are being adopted out because of allergy and not behavioral issues. For many adopters learning a cat was given away by their owners can be a red flag especially with so many shiny new kittens about. And also be aware that your sweet cat may get aggressive and mean in a shelter because its a stressful environment for them so your dear kitties might not show to advantage in that setting.

Good luck and sorry for the mammoth post...

The only time I had to give up a pet, I was lucky -- she was a formerly feral kitten that I'd been socializing, and a co-worker had already fallen in love with her when my cat allergies decided to develop.

I can say that I have seen Petfinders run ads for pets that are still with the original owners.

On a side note, my sister used to have frequent severe asthma attacks. They were cut to a manageable level after a savvy ER-room nurse suggested she have her forced-air heating/AC system cleaned. For her, that's where her triggering allergens were hiding! If that hasn't been investigated, it's worth having a pro come in and give an estimate.

Finally, for everyone who questions her need -- This was an honest question in a sad situation and many of these answers were not kind. And for everyone who questions her allergies -- I was two years out of college before my cat allergies kicked in. My Mom was the same age when hers kicked in.

I think everyone here believes it may be the cats, but that we also realize she loves them very much and may benefit from the experience of others who have made it work. Not everyone has a great doctor that has ruled out other options or given the best information about managing the allergy. As well, the comment about encouraging the cats to sleep on the sofa sounds like they are not shut out of the bedroom - which is essential to managing a pet allergy.

I am highly allergic to dogs and cats - I was tested by a very reputable allergist - and am a level 4 out of 4 on both. I got tested prior to adopting a dog and the allergist recommended much of what lilies and canadiancook above recommended. The first two weeks were rough but the flonase, claritin D and washing the pet made a huge difference. Apparently washing your pet every week for 4 weeks and then every month afterwards reduces allergens by 89%. My family lives in Toronto and there are pet stores and vets who will bathe your cat for you, if you yourself cannot. Removing all carpeting, encasing all bedding in allergy covers and keeping pets off sofas and beds are also huge. Also shower at night to remove all allergens so you don't track them onto your bed.

Yes, it's not easy - but neither is rehoming a pet. And it works, even on severe allergies. When my allergies flare up, it's because of environmental issues in the spring or with the santa ana winds here in LA - and I need to step up the neti pot flushing for that time. I realize everyone is different, but many of us who read this story also don't think enough was done to warrant the rehoming just yet. We wish you the best of luck and hope that do take those additional steps to see if they work.

This has got to be the hardest article I've read on AT. I had to go find my cats Moose and Siska and give them some attention before reading this. I have no suggestions, but I hope that she finds a way to control the allergies or that she finds a good and loving forever home for her two loving kittes.

My cat allergy started four years ago, till then I had always lived with cats and dogs and never had a problem! The doctor told me to give away my cat but it was impossible...she was 18 years old (!!) and I couldn't imagine my life without her. I started giving myself immunotherapy shots (every single morning), but it's been a difficult decision (they cost a lot, you have to stop in case of a pregnancy, they are not always successful ...) and things started getting better about six months later....My cat died at the age of 20 and I still miss her....

Sudden allergies do happen. I literally in the space of a week became allergic to the contact lens chemicals I had been using for years and had to switch to glasses. It's not myth...and while there are many theoretical diets and practices one can attempt to improve symptoms, sometimes one's body refuses to tolerate certain things. It's not fun, but it's reality.

As a life-long dog person, I found out that I was allergic to cats when I adopted one that a friend had found on the street. I tried everything to make the living situation tolerable for both myself and the cat but the simple truth was that the cat and I were incompatible. And the cat suffered too, because I couldn't give him the attention he deserved without getting sick, so he never got petted.

I was lucky in that the family that "cat sat" for me when I was out of town adored him and were more than happy to adopt him from me. But honestly, if I hadn't been as fortunate in having that situation, I don't think I could have taken him to a shelter, even though I was miserable with him around. Knowing that he might not be adopted and that his last experiences in life would be in a small cage...I couldn't do it.

As I write this, I am looking at my two dogs, both of whom are rescues. Like all the dogs before them in my life, they will spend their entire lives with me. I will only rent where they can join me, I will always care for their needs, and I took on the responsibility of having them in my life knowing it was a lifetime commitment.

I find this posting difficult because I know how painful it is to give up a pet due to allergies and I truly hope your sister finds a suitable place for her cats to live. But there are so many pets who are given up because of a move to a new apartment that doesn't take pets (find an apartment that does) a change in relationship (my boyfriend knows that the dogs and me are a package deal) or simply because they become inconvenient (they are living beings, not accessories or substitutes for humans). I applaud your sister for working hard to find a suitable home for her pets and understanding that they deserve a second life with a new family. I sincerely wish you the best of luck in finding the right fit!

I think it's worth a trial separation to verify allergies are related to the animals. Might take a while before the house is clear of the pets before one can be sure. I would certainly offer my place to a friend's pets as long as they got along with mine. The more the merrier.

Has she tried homeopathics? Boiron Histaminum Hydrochloricum is an amazing natural remedy for allergies. If you look at Amazon reviews, you will see many previously skeptical people who give this product 5 stars. http://www.amazon.com/Boiron-Homeopathic-Medicine-Histaminum-Hydrochloricum/dp/B001GCU1YG/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I used to think homeopathics were voodoo until my dog started having major allergy attacks (reverse sneezing for extended periods), keeping us up all night. Out of desperation, I gave him these pellets & LIKE MAGIC his allergies went away. Since my dog is unaware of the placebo effect, I have to believe they work. It doesn't have any side effects & only costs about $6 at vitamin shops / Whole Foods, etc. I convinced a very skeptical friend to try this remedy and he was able to get off allergy pills that made him drowsy.

How do you reverse sneeze?

lol, while trying homeopathics you can also try crop circles. and horoscopes. and alchemy. homeopathy is snake oil, the fact that your dog got better had probably other reasons. The singular of data is not anecdote. actual research shows over and over again that homeopathy doesn't work.

Unless the allergies were life-threatening or so debilitating that I could not function, I would never give up my pets. If a mother was told she was allergic to her child, would her physician suggest she adopt out the child? As other reviewers have pointed out, cat dander is used as a scapegoat for allergies. Just like plumbers always blame sewer problems on tampons.

I adopted two kitties from a woman who LOVED them. They were babied, they had a $400 litterbox, they were treated by homeopathic vets, SHE MADE THEIR FOOD FROM SCRATCH with fresh chicken or turkey and all of the necessary nutrient additives. The younger was 7, the older was 15. She met a man, they fell in love, he had nearly life-threatening allergies. They tried doctors, homeopathic remedies, and yes, acupunture. She was so afraid the older one wouldn't get adopted, but we took them both.

First, I recognize these pets were her children. BUT she had a chance at marriage with a human being and having human adventures and human children. I love these kitties, but if the apocolypse came, I would eat them. This is the difference between animals and people and though she clearly was a good pet owner, she chose human beings after exploring every other option. Once a year I email her photos.

That said, there are people who get rid of animals at the slightest provocation. Your sister does not sound like that kind of person. When it comes down to it, and you have tried everything, you have to opt for humans :)

We're facing a similar situation over here with our 13 year old cat. We love him, especially my husband and he even grew up with cats.

My Husband became suddenly allergic over Christmas to my parent's cat and in the months since it's been getting worse despite diet changes (both him and our cat) new vacuums, mattress covers, allergy medications, insane cleaning regimes and alternative therapies. We just put a notice out on Facebook and are hoping to find him a good home.

But like sleekspeech, humans come first. When your significant other is having problems breathing it's time for your adorable furry friend to find a new home.

I know a couple of people who had allergies to cats, and did not want to give them up. They gave the cats weekly baths, and it made a huge difference. It took a while to get the cats to warm up to it (though I have known cats who love water and getting bathed), but was totally worth it to have the cats without the allergy issues. We're not allergic, and have two cats and for easier cleaning we keep a blanket on the sofa for day to day use. When we have guests, or if there is an errant hairball, we can just toss the blanket in the wash. It keeps all that dander off our furniture and makes it easier on guests that come over who may have allergies.
Also, in addition to the other suggestions of hard floor surfaces and such, eliminate carpeted cat scratching posts. Get some of the cardboard variety that can be tossed. It keeps the dander at bay, rather than the way it gets embedded in the carpeted versions. It feels wasteful, but is a step towards making the allergies bearable.

I'm allergic to cats since I was 28, but I have 6 cats now and never ever think about giving them up!
It is said that probiotic food such as yogult is good for immune system. Eat healthy.
Like other people said here, less fabric in a house and wipe floor everyday.
How about wipe the cats with warm wet towel since allergen of cats is protine in their saliva.
Do your best before giving up anyone or anything important to you.

Should your only recourse be to surrender your pets please be assured that there are many shelters where going to a home as a twosome can be accomodated. It is true that older dogs are slower to be adopted but our longest wait period for a dog at a Humane Society shelter in a large midwest city has been 6 months and for a cat 12 months, the long waits due to special health circumstances. Vacations at foster homes help in the interim. Though our shelter eunthanizes it is only for extreme circumstances like aggression. Until they are adopted our animals are loved and cared for by dedicated volunteers who tend to them with walks and play a few times each day.

@tequila red, I have the sneaking suspicion that this is exactly what she has done-- on Apartment Therapy.
Not that I can blame her-- if it ever came to this sad pass for me, I know I would use every "connection" I could call up to get my pets into good, happy homes.
She has my sympathy. And best wishes for a happy outcome-- for all of them.

There are a lot of great resources and suggestions already offered. My only additional advice would be to research exhaustively and try every avenue within her means before resorting to finding a new home for her pets.

When you purchase or adopt a pet, you're making a promise to that animal that you will support and care for them their entire lives, just like you might a family member. Admittedly, sometimes the best decision for all parties is, in fact, to part ways. I hope that's not the case for your sister.

My heart absolutely goes out to your sister for her discomfort and the possibility that she may have to consider parting with her dear companions.

So sorry to hear about the situation. Allergies can definitely come on suddenly. I developed very severe seasonal allergies in my mid-twenties, and then seemed to become allergic to all sorts of things, including cats. I have a good allergist and fiddle with different meds as needed. A very expensive HEPA-filtered vacuum used regularly helps, and washing my sheets frequently on hot water is key. I do understand that not everyone is willing to make significant accommodations, and even with them ou can still be miserable. It's a trade off that everyone needs to consider for themselves. Hope things work out okay in the end.

Immune system disorders can be really tricky to accurately diagnose. My daughter was treated for two years for one thing and then it was found she really had something else. So I agree with above post that you should try to find a temp home if possible.

I hope my comment gets read in the midst of this (I'm sure very helpful) slurry of comments.

I just want to say that we were in a similar boat a few months back, when my husband developed a severe allergic reaction to our beloved cat. We invested in Hepa filters all over the house, but they weren't an adequate solution, though they helped slightly.

What ended up making a HUGE difference was when my husband started doing a saline nasal rinse twice a day. He was a total skeptic about it, but I pushed and we were desperate because we adore our cat. So he finally gave in, and within 24 hours felt so much better he was shocked.

I'm not sure if your sister has tried this, but if not, she might want to give it a shot. You can get inexpensive easy-to-use nasal irrigation kits at any pharmacy.

I had to give up my cat, Chairman Meow, when I moved from coast to coast and from Canada to the US. It was heart breaking and I still think about him all the time.

I first tried to find him a home with someone I knew or a friend of a friend, but was working against the clock. When that failed I called all the local shelters, and was turned away from all of them. There are so many cats who need homes!

I finally found him a home through kijiji.ca. Unfortunately, I couldn't find him a home until the situation got dire and the ad basically stated that if he didn't get a home soon, he would have to be put down (though I was desperate to make sure it didn't come to that). Luckily for Chairman and I, someone contacted me who was interested in Chairman and was able to give him a nice stable home.

The hardest part of the ordeal for me was the judgement and hate that I got from people online at a time that I really needed support and help. Comments ranged from some of those I've seen here, in which people feign helpfulness by suggesting other alternatives (as if I hadn't thought of them and tried all alternatives first), to comments telling me that they could never give up their pet (as if I had ever in a million years thought that I would have to give up mine and implying that I didn't love Chairman enough since I was giving him up), to hateful responses that basically told me it was me who should be put down, not my cat (I responded to those with something along the lines of "Thank you for your interest! Please let me know if you have any suggestions that would actually help my cat.").

When I gave Chairman up, I kept up with how he was fitting in in his new home at first, but ultimately found it too painful and stopped asking for updates.

I feel your sister's pain and hope that she is able to find them a happy new home. I'm so glad that she has not developed an allergy to her puppy so that they can help each other through this. Best of luck!

Thanks for all the useful suggestions for relieving allergic symptoms. My son, who moved back in with us temporarily a few months ago, thinks he's allergic to the cats, but I have told him they are staying! One of them was a stray - how could I get rid of him now that he has found his forever home? Plus, he's really cute, looks like Garfield!

I got the best cat ever, when I found a cat at my vet's. She was 6 years old, and her owners had brought her in to be put down, because they couldn't keep her and they couldn't find a home for her. They had a new baby who was very allergic to cats.

My vet asked to keep the cat for a month to try and find her a new home. (Wonderful vet.) One of my friends worked at the vet clinic and called me.

We had 14 very good years together, that floofy calico and me.

Please encourage your sister to explore all avenues for finding the cats a new home--posters at her vet's office, friends of friends of friends, whatever she can do. Someone out there will take them and give them a good home.

How heartbreaking. I can't imagine having to give up a pet.

I want to second what people have said about diet though. My husband thought for years that he was allergic to cats (his sister and her husband too). I already had two cats I was unwilling to give up, so I brought them with me when we first moved in together. My husband never had an issue with them (neither did my sister-in-law and her husband when they visited). We just assumed my husband had outgrown that allergy, until we visited a shop that had a shaggy, long-haired cat with dandruff, and my husband's allergies went crazy. I'd been petting the cat, and had to change my clothes after we got home.

We've always fed our pets high quality food. I used to make their food fresh, but now we buy the Instinct raw food. Diet makes a huge, huge difference. If that's not something that has been explored, it's definitely worth looking into.

Wow, so much unsolicited medical advice in this thread. I can't be the only person who finds that inappropriate and fairly rude?

It's not really medical advice, people are listing what worked for them and are suggesting:

A. The owner find a temporary foster home for the pets
B. See an allergy specialist for alternatives in case it's not the pets at the root of allergies.

The lesson here is that pets are family members just like children (yes, they are) so BEFORE you adopt a pet you need to consider all the things that could go wrong, instead of allergies. If you decide you cannot keep a pet if you develop allergies, then don't adopt one since it can happen at any time.

It's not really medical advice, people are listing what worked for them and are suggesting:

A. The owner find a temporary foster home for the pets
B. See an allergy specialist for alternatives in case it's not the pets at the root of allergies.

The lesson here is that pets are family members just like children (yes, they are) so BEFORE you adopt a pet you need to consider all the things that could go wrong, instead of allergies. If you decide you cannot keep a pet if you develop allergies, then don't adopt one since it can happen at any time.

ps To follow up on the pet diet suggestion, for cats see a really excellent book by Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins called Your Cat.

I had a dog, rabbits, and a cat growing up. I was never sick but when I grew up I became sick from cats. I tested for mild allergies to cats and dogs. I got a cat anyway and after a few weeks my body reset - no more allergies. I did start becoming allergic again to what I thought was my cats. I had carpet and many windows I left open being that I lived on a top floor. It never popped into my head that living near Griffith Park and the Santa Ana winds would be making me deathly ill. Only then did I remember I was highly allergic to many grasses and trees. So the combo of slightly allergic to cats and every year like clockwork the blooming in the park - I get severe allergies and then they go away. I move to a house and now have two more cats, no carpets at all (so disgusting), no one can walk into the house with shoes (filthy habit anyway), and tons of trees on the property. Just like clockwork in a new part of the city. Wipe down the cats, and window screens big time and double dose on the Benadryl. I couldn't give up my cats - ever. That's just me........ On the husband or boyfriend issue with cat allergies. Went out with a guy that was allergic to cats - bye bye boyfriend. Again, that's just me and it's a true story.

She probably has a hormone and/or immune imbalance and I'm about to get personal here: has she stopped taking birth control? Has she changed her diet? Has she changed their diet? Has she had an illness that she had to take medication for? All and some of these can cause her to now be allergic to her cats. If it's medicine she can get an herbal detox to flush her system. She can also take some herbal pills to boost her immune system and balance her hormones. The herbal remedies will take at least 30 days to start showing any change, so if she can wait that long I would try that before I give away my babies! Good luck to her!

Oh and HEPA filters don't work if you can't take them out and clean them after each use, otherwise she's just blowing around dander and hairs every time she use them. Steam cleaning her floors can help and a stronger vacuum to get the pet hairs out of the cracks and crevices can help too!

When my family and I moved back to Russia we had to give up our family cat Vasya. My grandma refused to take him but she did help spread the word and a very nice little old lady that was friends with her coworker took him. We ended up moving back to the states but when we went to visit Vasya to take him back, we found him living like a king. The little old lady had pillows embroidered with his name, and doted on him much more than we were ever able to. He was friendly with us, but it was obvious that he was very happy in his new home. So we let the little old lady keep him.

The kitties will recover. If your sister has tried everything and the cats have to go, they have to go. But she should wait till she's found them a home and while she searches she should try some of the suggestions above and do what she's been doing to control her allergies. Once you adopt a pet you gain a member of the family and it will help her cope if she doesn't just give them up to a shelter or to two different strangers, but waits till she finds a good home for them. That's a heartbreaking situation to be in and I feel for her.

I developed an allergy to cats, but I got over it with Neem's bark pills. It's a tree from India and it cures colitis, allergies, and a lot of other stuff with no side effects. I strongly recommend it... now I enjoy my cat every single wonderful day :)

Just out of curiosity. What if you adopted a baby/child and there were problems. Would you try to return them because it was inconveniencing you? Would you declaw a cat before training them not to rip your furniture?