You should read this document. Allergy to animals is a significant occupational health concern for individuals who work with the common laboratory animal species. Cats, rabbits, mice, rats and guinea pigs are the most frequently implicated species. Materials from animals that have been traditionally implicated in the development of allergy include fur, hair, dander, and urinary proteins.
Individuals come into contact with such allergenic material from animals in many ways.
Handling animals, performing techniques such as injections, blood sampling, testing, euthanasia, feeding and cleaning cages are examples of procedures where a person might be exposed to allergens. Exposure may occur by inhaling contaminated dust from the bottom of a cage or by direct contact with the material. It is virtually impossible to be in contact with animals without having contact with allergenic material. While most individuals who will develop allergy to animals will do so within the first two years of exposure, certain sensitive individuals may experience almost immediate reactions. Individuals with a prior personal or family history of allergy, asthma, or hay fever may have an increased the risk for developing allergy to animals.