I’m very sorry to announce that Tom Lundberg — my brother, mentor, and business partner — passed away in late April. His health had been rapidly deteriorating for several months and finally got the better of his indomitable spirit. Tom’s research into Siberian diseases was as important to breeders as his research into allergens was to allergic families; he’s made a difference in so many ways in the Siberian world. I know many of our Lundberg Siberians families continue to watch our site, and I wanted to let you know.
With great sadness ~ Sarah
(For those of you who don’t know: I’ve been working with Tom for years and have owned the business since January. Lundberg Siberians will continue.)
We are not currently accepting new applications. (Families with Lundberg Siberians kittens may always apply.) Note that our wait time has exceeded a year for all levels, and two years for families with severe allergies.
As a breed, Siberians have great personalities and quiet trills, and make wonderful companions. Our family has bred Siberians for twenty years, and now raise kittens as a cooperative. Working with other families has allowed us to share the joys of breeding with other folks and their children. Raising one litter at a time gives each kitten more time, attention, and training. We want our kittens to be gentle with small children, patient where children have special needs, and treasured in their new homes.
Our kittens are confident and gentle, and make wonderful pets. Before they leave, we teach them to be gentle, not to claw furniture, and to obey simple commands. Our kittens are raised in the home and underfoot, learning to be calm despite everyday household noise. They are happier and more affectionate than cage-raised pets. Crumpled pieces of paper and kitten toys are scattered around our house. Before putting on our shoes, we check them for fuzzy mice and crinkle balls.
Siberians are often called “Hypoallergenic,” but this is misleading. About 15% of Siberians have Fel d1 allergen levels that are suitable for families with moderate to severe cat allergies. This is 50-60 times as many Siberians as non-Siberians at those levels. However, about half of Siberians have more Fel d1 than the typical non-Siberian.
We DNA test the allergen levels of our kittens’ saliva. Our Allergen Level Chart © below helps families understand the severity of their allergies and how their reactions correspond to our testing levels. Compare the chart to how you would react when snuggling with a normal cat. (These reactions roughly correspond to a skin allergy test (welt/wheal 1-5).) Allergen levels below are listed in micrograms per milliliter of saliva – µg/ml.
| Allergen Level Chart © | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cat Level | Saliva Level in mcg | Ideal for people with these reactions to typical cats |
| Extr. Low | 0.1-1.0 | ER visits, rashes, hives, facial swelling, asthma, airway constriction. (Note that results under 0.12 are frequently due to dilution errors.) |
| Very Low | 1.0-1.75 | Light sneezing, severe runny nose, swollen eyes, mild rash, mild asthma |
| Low | 1.75-2.5 | Runny nose, eye irritation, coughing, a few sneezes, light itching |
| Medium | 2.5-3.5 | Mild eye irritation, stuffy nose, scratchy throat, other mild symptoms |
| Normal | 3.5-32 | Not recommended for homes with cat allergies |
| © 2005 Meredith Lundberg, updated 2026 Sarah Starr dba Lundberg Siberians / KittenTesting.com. Only catteries who have tested through KittenTesting.com in the past year are approved to use this chart, levels, or reaction by severity. All other commercial use of any part of this Allergen Level Chart is prohibited — including charts or texts derived from this information. Approved reproductions must include this entire copyright paragraph and the statement “Used with permission from KittenTesting.com.” | ||
Individuals with severe allergies should seek medical advice before testing with or purchasing a cat or kitten.
Our breeding cats are registered with The International Cat Association, and we will help you register your kittens.
TICA membership #15762
We maintain two related websites.
Kitten Testing sells allergen testing kits to Siberian breeders. The website has information on testing and a current list of breeders in the US & Canada licensed to use “Allergen Level Chart” or derivatives thereof and to allergen-test kittens.
Siberian Research was a non-profit association created to study diseases affecting Siberians, primarily HCM. We maintain the website to increase awareness of the health issues affecting Siberians, but we have not updated it since 2014.
~~ After twenty years breeding these wonderful cats, health issues have forced us to retire. We will miss little kittens in the home, and the many wonderful friends we have made along the way. It has been a great joy to change so many lives. Thank you so much. My sister, Sarah Starr, who has been working with us, will be running the cattery in the coming years. Our very best wishes, Tom & Meredith Lundberg January 2026 ~~
© 2005 – 2026 Sarah Starr DBA Lundberg Siberians, DBA Kitten Testing.com