Got allergies? You don't necessarily have to give away the cat, according to a recent allergy study conducted at the University of Virginia.

According to Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills, head of Allergy and Asthma at UVa, there is no real evidence that families need to get rid of their cats because someone in the home is diagnosed with allergies or asthma.

In fact, according to Platts-Mills, recent studies show that children living with a dog or cat at home get less asthma - and that having two pets in the household provides more protection than one. This research is consistent with current allergy theory that exposing a child to dust, pet dander and other allergens at a young age will help him or her build up immunities to them. According to once study, a whopping 80 percent of children who are allergic to felines never had a cat!

If you or your child is allergic to your animal companion, however, Platts-Mills recommends that you get rid of your carpeting, cover mattresses and cushions with zippered, plastic casings, and use a HEPA air filter to remove airborne animal dander.

Two hundred million Spay/Neuter stamps will go on sale at US Post Offices nationwide on September 20th to build awareness and end the tragedy of surplus and unwanted animals.

The stamps portray a male puppy and a female kitten that were photographed in a Connecticut animal shelter while awaiting adoption. Each was subsequently neutered or spayed and adopted into a loving home. The selvage of the pane of 20 stamps features a toll-free telephone number, 1-888-pets911, and a website address www.pets911.com, so the public can obtain additional neuter and spay information.

According to the USPS, these are the first U.S. postage stamps to call attention to the issue of pet overpopulation. The Postal Service has the support of the American Partnership for Pets (APP), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and other animal health and welfare groups to promote the issuance of the Neuter or Spay stamps.

To see the stamps, go to www.usps.com/shop. Under "Collector's Corner," click on Release Schedule, or click on Stamp Issues to see images of many past and future stamps.