Allerca Cats

This is a fully illustrated page on Allerca cats from LIFESTYLE PETS Inc.. They are controversial. The controversy has died down over the years. These cats are not registered cat breeds. There is a ready-made market for hypoallergenic cats because 10% of the population are allergic to cats. The premier, top of the range Allerca cat is an F1 Savannah (see below).

Update: this page was written at the height of the controversy surrounding this ‘product’ in about 2008. It is now 2021 and the business went bust some time ago.

RELATED: A cross-post on what happened to Allerca Cats.

Contents: Note – **please note this | Ashera | The Science | The Price | Allerca and Chakan | The Arguments | Further Reading | Videos

Introduction

All the photographs on this page are reproduced with the permission of LIFESTYLE PETS Inc. with my gratitude and are © LIFESTYLE PETS Inc. ALLERCA is part of LIFESTYLE PETS Inc. I have built a page about Allerca Cats because the Ashera Cat is possibly the best looking cat worldwide, is of interest to the public and the photographs are very high quality. I am not affiliated to LifeStyle Pets.

The Ashera GD cat is one of three breeds or type of cat produced by the company Lifestyle Pets. The others are the Allerca GD and the Chakan GD. “GD” stands for “genetic divergences”. Genetic divergences mean the process whereby a species evolves (diverges) into more than one species. The GD cats are hypoallergenic. The Ashera is also bred in non-hypoallergenic form. I shall take that as meaning that Lifestyle Pets have developed a cat that is hypoallergenic and a new breed (although unrecognized by cat associations) and in doing so have mirrored divergences in the natural world.

Note: I am fully aware of the fact that a lot of Savannah cat breeders and other people argue that the Ashera is a Savannah cat. I refer to this below. I only report what I read and see. When I have firm evidence that an Ashera is a Savannah I’ll publish it (see update below). On the basis that the Savannah cat is not hypoallergenic; if an Ashera is a hypoallergenic Savannah, the Ashera is then not a Savannah. So the evidence I need is that the Ashera GD is not hypoallergenic. I haven’t seen that evidence yet.

Also, I have not heard anything concrete stating that the other Life Style Pets Inc. Allerca cats (the original Allerca cat) are not hypoallergenic.

Update 18th May 2010: I now have firm evidence from the inside that the Ashera GD is a Savannah cat. But, and here is the fun part, the Savannah cat is hypoallergenic. This is why the concept works for LifeStyle pets in relation to their top of the range cat. The Ashera GD must be an F1 Savannah cat.

The Breed – Ashera (not hypoallergenic) and Ashera GD (hypoallergenic)

Without doubt this is a very handsome cat; absolutely stunning. But what is the breed? She is not registered with a cat registry such as the GCCF, CFA or TICA or any other registry. This cat has not be shown at shows and there is no breed standard. In order to accurately describe the pedigree of this cat I feel obliged to quote LifeStyle Pets in order not to misrepresent them.

The breed is a “blend …of the bloodlines of the African Serval and Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) subsequently bred with a domestic cat”. This would seem to say that the breed could be a cross between the Serval and Bengal cat (the Bengal being a cross between the ALC and a domestic cat). The Savannah is a cross between the Serval and a domestic cat and latterly the Bengal cat. The Ashera is similar in appearance and size (up to 30lbs) to the Savannah. The hypoallergenic Ashera GD was developed by crossing an Allerca GD with a “standard” Ashera.

The Science

Most cat breeders are small businesses. Some are hobby businesses. This is a good thing as it is easier to prioritize the welfare of the cats. They rely on experience of breeding and some knowledge of genetics to achieve the result required. LifeStyle Pets have introduced a corporate culture into cat breeding and a heightened awareness to the importance of the use of genetics to get the result required; a stunning hypoallergenic cat.

However, despite the corporate look, the cats, as I understand it, are bred at small affiliated catteries. They use genetic sequencing to analyse the gene that produces the protein in the saliva of cats that in turn results in the allergy suffered by a substantial number of people. Through careful breeding a divergent version of this gene is then produced that does not produce a protein that causes the allergic reaction. {Genetic sequencing is the process of working out the arrangement of the components of DNA.}

The cost of the cats is, I expect, justified on the bases of the investment in scientific research and quality of cat that they argue if produced. Allerca, the business, argue that it would cost a similar sum or more to modify your home to alleviate the symptoms of an allergic reaction than to buy one of their cats.

The Price

This is in a different league to other cats except the most rare and exotic. These prices are as at late 2007. Prices vary and go up. These are guidelines only. Prices respectively: $5,950, $8,950, $28,000 for Ckakan GD, Ashera GD and Allerca GD.

The other LifeSyle Pets cats

Allerca GD: Domestic Shorthair cat made hypoallergenic and crossed with another breed to produce med-long hair. 10-15 lbs in weight (4-8 kgs). See picture above. Buyer can select coat color and sex I understand. Chakan GD: Siamese and domestic shorthair cross made hypoallergenic as before. Smallish cat 6-8 lbs (2.5-3.5 Kg)

The arguments

Existing Exotic cat breeders and particularly Savannah cat breeders will argue that this is an overpriced unregistered F2 Savannah cat without a pedigree or a breed standard. Also the secrecy surrounding the breeding creates suspicion. Yet Allerca will argue that it is a trade secret and they have the right to protect it.

In answer of those who criticise LifeStyle Pets Inc., the registration of cats with a cat registry such as the CFA does not guarantee good practice or the prioritization of cat welfare. Most cats are moggies, healthy mixed breed cats, that never go near a show hall or registry. It seems that Allerca treat their cats as products although I might be mistaken (perhaps it is the corporate feel that sends that signal).

I am not sure about the idea of talking about Allerca cats as products, which is the impression I get. I don’t like that. However, the bottom line is that they are a cattery (or a network of catteries, I don’t know) and provided they have the welfare of their cats as a priority they are no different to any other good cattery.

Also Allerca cats as a product, appear to be of high quality. They certainly have more financial muscle than almost any other cat breeder and if that funding is transferred into cat welfare and a quality operation (as opposed to factory production), which appears to be the case, I cannot honestly see how people can criticize. I am gradually warming to this business.

There are though other issues surrounding the breeding of exotic cats and wild/domestic cat hybrids and its impact on the wild cat population. These are the wider issues that go well beyond the breeding of cats. I personally have doubts about the morality of breeding from wild cats, but this is a polarized debate with some mileage to go.

Caveat 1 (warning): Some breeders not associated with LifeStyle Pets Inc. are jumping on the bandwagon and charging Ashera GD prices for Savannahs. Beware.

Caveat 2: In an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune (6-2-08) it was reported that the Ashera GD cats exported to the Netherlands by LifeStyle Pets Inc. (associated with Allerca Cats) were allegedly Savannah F1s “supplied” by A1 Savannahs to LifeStyle Pets Inc. run by Mr Brodie. A1 Savannahs allegedly bought the cats from Chris Shirk of Cutting Edge Cats. The person making the allegation is Chris Shirk. I talk about the importation of the cats to the Netherlands on this page and A1 Savannahs are featured on the Savannah page of this website.

Further Reading

This is an article written for me about Allerca Cats Nov.2007 Note: this article is about the Allerca GD. As described above there are three breeds (or types). First of all, is there anything such as a hypoallergenic cat? Well, for the first time in history, with Allerca Cats, it seems that there just may be. Let’s start with the basics. Just what does hypoallergenic mean? It means that a substance has little potential of causing an allergic response. It really doesn’t mean that the substance, which in this case is a cat, is allergy free. It simply means that you have a lower risk of reacting to the substance.

The new hypoallergenic Allerca cats that are being produced by ALLERCA are a brand new alternative as to how people have been traditionally treated when they have allergies to cats. People would have to go through extensive allergy testing and then continue with costly allergy treatments and the associated health risks that accompany them. The cat allergen is a very potent protein that is secreted by the cat’s salivary glands and skin.

ALLERCA has put its focus on the naturally occurring genetic divergences, or GD, that are already present in cats but do them absolutely no harm. The result is that there is now a hypoallergenic cat that will not only improve the health but the quality of life for the many millions of cat lovers that could not own a cat due to having cat allergies. It seems that some breeds of cats produce less allergens than others. An example might be the Siberian cat. Scientists have tested this and have shown that all cats produce allergens no matter what their breed is.

The ALLERCA GD cat has been scientifically proven to help people who suffer with feline allergies. These cats were developed using the proprietary methods under ALLERCA’s pending patents. Allerca cat has been found to be playful, friendly and affectionate. The ALLERCA GD cats come in all coat patterns and colors. Their fur is medium-long and requires low maintenance and produces a minimal amount of shedding.

These cats are medium sized and average between 10 and 15 pounds. They reach maturity at about three years of age and their life expectancy is long. Their personality is affectionate and sweet. People who now own ALLERCA GD cats say that they are wonderful with children and make great family pets. How did the ALLERCA GD cat come about? A glycoprotein which is called Fel d 1 is secreted by the sebaceous glands of the cat and is the major cat allergen. The ALLERCA team began focusing on the gene that produces the Fel d 1 glycoprotein. The team used sophisticated bioinformatics to manage their cat breeding programs. The end result produced a cat that had a divergent gene that produced a different version of the Fel d 1 protein.

These GD cats no longer triggered the autoimmune system of people who were allergic to cats.Just how much will one of these ALLERCA GD cats cost? ALLERCA began delivering its GD kittens to long awaiting customers at the end of 2006. You can also be the owner of one of these little bundles if you wish to go on a waiting list of about two years and cough up $5,950.

However, you do get the following for your money:

• An ALLERCA GD kitten that is 12 weeks old
• Complete and updated vaccinations until the time of delivery
• The kitten will have been spayed or neutered
• Microchip Identifier implant
• 2 x Allergy Tests ( you will receive a complete FDA approved home allergy test)
• ALLERCA airline certified cat transporter
• Veterinary health certificate which is required for travel.
• ALLERCA Starter Pack ( includes premium kitten food, cat toys, additional nail caps, and other kitten sundries)
• Courier delivery right to you
• One year guarantee
• You will also receive with your special kitty a year of veterinary health insurance through Pets Best.
• The ALLERCA GD kitten is shipped in a unique climate controlled pet carrier to assure optimum safety and comfort.

In 2004, just two months after ALLERCA made the announcement that it would create genetically modified, allergen-free cats, a suit was brought about in federal court again ALLERCA by a New York-based company called Transgenic Pets. Transgenic accused Los Angeles businessman Simon Brodie who was the owner of Geneticas Life Sciences of usurping Trangenic’s business and marketing plan, its technology and trade secrets.

All of these were used to form ALLERCA. According to the lawsuit, Dr. David Avner, who was the owner of Transgenic, had agreed to partner with Brodie and his company Geneticas to form a company called ALLERCA. Dr. Avner was to invest $2.5 million initially into the venture. Just how this saga turned out, well, that is for you and me to find out! Are there any certain health issues that may be in store for ALLERCA cats?

According to Poorva Joshipura who is PETA’s European director, he thinks that certain health issues may arise including such things as deafness, physical deformities, eye diseases and numerous other ailments. As far as I am aware there are no reports of this. Do you think it is worth all the money, time and energy just to develop a hypoallergenic cat? When all of the hype dies down, will people still turn want to buy ALLERCA cats? We will have to wait and see what the outcome to this story will be.

Videos

The only videos that I could find are ones that come from early chat shows:

Sources:

• Wikipedia LifeStyle Pets
• Allerca Cats
• http://ashera-savannah-cat.blogspot.com
• Me
• Allerca Cats website blogs
• ALLERCA Promises Sneeze-Free Cats