Dog and cat cloning services are growing, but stigma persists and some owners don’t tell their families or veterinarians.
When faced with the profound grief of losing a pet, many people look for ways to preserve your connection. It is in this context that pet cloning is gaining ground around the world.
This niche service offers owners the opportunity to take home a twin genetically identical to their deceased partner. People often discover online cloning services during their early stages of grieflooking for guidance on how to deal with the situation.
The process, although emotional, is based on science and requires quick action: animal ear cellsa robust tissue to preserve genetic material, must be collected within five days of death, with the body kept refrigerated – not frozen – to maintain cell viability.
In the laboratory, the cloning journey begins with cell cultivation. Once the cells are stored, cloning begins when the customer is ready. Embryos are developed by inserting these cells into an enucleated egg, which is then encouraged to “think” it has been fertilized. These embryos are transferred into surrogate animals, bred specifically to promote healthy pregnancies.
For many clients, the emotional significance of welcoming their new puppy or kitten cannot be overstated. The process is meticulous, since cloning dogs presents unique challenges; Dogs only ovulate once or twice a year and their embryos cannot be frozen. Therefore, careful calculations are necessary to ensure that the correct number of embryos results in one or two puppies.
A manager from one of the companies that provides these services explains the type of clients they have. “We have customers from all walks of life. There are celebrities, there are people who are very rich and there are ordinary people. Many of our clients do not have children. They’re not paying for college or a wedding. Your pet is your child. I have already delivered a puppy to Aruba, Europe, Mexico”, he says.
Despite being a growing sector, a stigma still persists. “People don’t want to say they cloned their pets because are afraid of being ridiculed. Some don’t even tell the vet. They don’t tell their family. I had a client who told his family that he adopted a cat that looked very similar”, comments the manager.
A common question is whether the clone will reflect the original pet’s personality. “I try to prepare them so they don’t expect the same dog again. They are genetically linked – and that includes temperament, intelligence and personality parts – but the new pet will have different experiences. The dog won’t know who he is right away. Some owners say it looks like the original animal had a baby. I think people are happy with it,” he says.
Many owners find joy in seeing a familiar but distinct personality emerge, likening the experience to meeting their pet’s twin born at a different time. For grieving pet owners, the opportunity to reconnect with their friends, even in a new form, brings comfort and a lasting connection.
