<p>The advice on CC is always so spot on. I just started looking into an organization that adopts out Cornish Rex rescues. Since I’m not in a hurry this seems like an excellent way to go–especially since I contacted a reputable breeder and was informed that kittens go for $900 !</p>
<p>One thing to check with the cat breeds that are recent & “unique” haired like Cornish Rexes—they can be very inbred. The flop-ears, curly short hair, hairlessness, short legs, etc mutation that first appeared in the "founder"of the breed was replicated by breeding that animal to its own offspring, siblings to each other, and so forth, over generations.</p>
<p>Consequently even though reputable breeders work hard at getting “outside” genes in the line, these breeds usually have some disease problem – such a tendency to cancers, etc. Check carefully whether CRs have this kind of issue.</p>
<p>Oh, yes, and you can get a fleece blanket & throw it over the couch, let it collect hair & throw it in the wash often.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t limit my search to Cornish Rex. Extend out to a shorter hair cat and just plan on brushing it more frequently. My sister had a cat who loved to be vacuumed! That worked great (the vacuum was in another room so the noise wouldn’t scare–she had a long hose).</p>
<p>So glad you found a breed specific rescue group. I know there are some for different breeds of dogs, and I’m glad to hear there are some for cats, too.</p>
<p>How is the cat search going, OP? :)</p>
<p>I thought of this thread when a friend mentioned this book:</p>
<p>[Guys</a> Can Be Cat Ladies Too](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Guys-Can-Cat-Ladies-Too/dp/141970690X/ref=pd_sim_b_21]Guys”>http://www.amazon.com/Guys-Can-Cat-Ladies-Too/dp/141970690X/ref=pd_sim_b_21)</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>I am disappointed in myself. I didn’t open this thread for weeks because I thought it was going to be recipes for cornish hens. Stupid!</p>
<p>I want to live vicariously through the OP! We were going to get a kitty a few months ago but my dad told me at the last minute that he is deathly allergic and would never come see me anymore if we got a cat, so that is the end of that discussion for now. </p>
<p>My animal shelter gives cats away for free every few months. Lots of buy one get one free. They’re cheap. It sounds like you are on the right track with your rescue if you’re sure you specifically want the cornish rex, but you might find other shorthair breeds to your liking for nothing or next to nothing, too, if you find you need another avenue to try. I think I read a stat once that went something like… for every human in the US there are 6 dogs and 20 cats. We are always up to our necks in cats.</p>
<p>I had a friend with Rex cats, and they were happy with the hypoallergenic nature of their cats. Personally, though the cats were smart and engaging, they were not cats, in the traditional sense. They looked like ET, big eyes and ears, and every wrinkle visible through the minimal peach fuzz like fur. Though I live with plenty of cat hair, that purring ball of fur under the hand and on the lap is the joy of cat ownership to me. But some Cornish Rex on Wikipedia look a little less hairless. No they are not cheap.</p>
<p>Most of our extended family is not particularly find of pets and many of us also have allergies to them. Sad to read this makes us untrustworthy! Perhaps if you FOSTER a pet so he can see how that goes, it might be better than foisting a cat upon him that can’t be returned. Quite a few folks I know who aren’t fond of pets are also physically allergic to them, which makes it a nonstarter for me.</p>
<p>I looked into Cornish Rex rescue and cats are available when they are available–can’t really plan on anything. Also, most rescues are adults and I really want to enjoy the kitten stage. We just put our house up for sale and I told DH that my price for moving is 2 kittens. So IF the house sells then I get my hearts desire once we are settled into a new place. Looking forward to 2 new babies just makes me smile. I’ll keep you all posted.</p>