In the state of Texas, USA, more and more people are making clones of their pets
Owners will still have a copy of their pet to keep raising even after the original dies, citing Voice of America (VOA).
“My first cat was named Chai. I can only describe him as my favorite animal in the entire world. I have never had such a bond with another living creature in my life as I have with this kitten,” says Kelly Anderson, animal trainer. Kelly’s bond with her cat was so strong that she decided to clone it.
“I struggled with depression when she was by my side. The cat saved my life more times than I can count. So it was very hard for me when she died,” the woman adds. In her anguish, she turns to ViaGen Pets & Equine, a US company that clones pets – cats, dogs and horses.
The cloning process begins with a visit to the vet’s office, where a biopsy sample is sent to the pet to be cloned.
“Once we get the sample, we do cell culture. We use some of the saved cells to create cloned embryos. Then they’re transplanted into surrogate mothers. And from there, it’s a normal pregnancy,” says Cody Lamb, who works with the bereaved owners.
The process of cloning Kelly’s cat took four years. But in the end she gets Bell – Chai’s clone.
“When I got the call that they had indeed cloned her, I think I was in shock. But she has quite different markings and a different personality from the late original. I love her very much and she is definitely like my cat, but the connection between us is not the same. But I never expected or wanted exactly this,” says Kelly Anderson.
“The feedback we get is that temperament and personality are quite similar, but the clones also have their own unique individualism,” the company added. Cloning isn’t cheap.
Kelly paid $25,000 six years ago, and the price has since doubled to $50,000, Voice of America (VOA) reports.
Some time ago, the hotel heiress Paris Hilton shared that she cloned her dog, from which she received two copies of him. Barbra Streisand also received two cloned dogs from her beloved Coton de Tulear.
Illustrative Photo by Francesco Ungaro: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-and-white-tabby-cats-sleeping-on-red-textile-96428/
