When I got a kitten in February, I thought I had done everything right. I'd considered getting a cat for years and carefully thought through the decision. I am allergic to them, but I had lived with a cat before and managed symptoms like sneezing and itchiness with antihistamines. I rationalized that I'd probably be OK, especially if I found a "hypoallergenic breed" (more on that later). Before adopting Chives, I went to visit him as a precaution.