Good vacuums and air purifiers to combat allergies for homes with cats?

[RandomEvent]

My mother was asking me about this subject this morning. Apparently my sister will be at my mother's house more often, and my sister and I both are allergic to her cats. But my mom loves her cats to the point that sometimes they are more important than her children, lol.

Anyway, I was going to go out and buy my mom a new vacuum and air purifier for her living room. I figure this might make the house more bearable for my sister to live in.

Any recommendations? Hopefully I won't have to spend a TON of money. If I could get this kind of stuff at Target, that'd be great. And any other tips on making it easier to live in a house with pets as far as allergies go would be appreciated.

[Pacman]

Dyson Animal Ultimate. It's got a hepa filter, and the air that comes out of it is guaranteed to be cleaner than the air it takes in. I've got one, and love it.

[fenderhutz]

Don't spend a ton of money on a Dyson or anything (I bought the purple animal one). I know there is a 100.00 Hoover that does a better job. Can't remember the model. The Dyson doesn't do anything that Hoover doesn't, except win style awards.

Cat dander is nasty and has a sticky quality so it sticks to anything. Air purifiers aren't going to do a ton. Good Luck.

[Phalex]

I'd suggest a 12ga loaded with #6 shot.

[jomahu]

are they long-hair or short-hair cats?

there's this stuff that you can put on cats that helps with allergies. just wipe 'em down and it works fine. dunno about long-haired cats, tho'...

[Humblerumble]

we just got this one a few months ago and it does a great job for two Siamese cats. It was a Consumer Reports Best Buy.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...nister+Vacuums