Lynne another creature to consider is a chincilla. Usually people that are allergic to cats are fine with chins (usually if you have a bunny allergy though a chin allergy might also exist but not always). Chins are very interactive and quite interesting but so are ferrets. Both might be excellent choices. Both need a LOT of interaction lol. If you'd like I can recommend an excellent chin breeder that both Jeanne and I are looking into in Ohio.
~~Jo~~