Considering Pet Cloning for A Sick Pet

Pet cloning and pet genetic preservation are two options that are now available to pet owners who have sick dogs or cats and might be approaching the end of their lives.  These situations can be heartbreaking for pet parents. We cherish the time we have with them as a puppy or kitten. We then continue to form that bond and build the relationship as they grow. Unfortunately, there is a point at the end of their lives, where we must part ways. Sometimes it’s unexpected, sometimes it is following an illness, but no matter the circumstances, it is never easy to say goodbye to a member of your family.

The First Step is Pet Genetic Preservation         

During the last moments of your pet’s life, you may have begun searching for options and discovered media coverage of pet DNA preservation and pet cloning.  In the situations where your pet is at the end of its life or has already passed, time is of the essence to help ensure your pet’s genetics can be successfully preserved.

Call a ViaGen Pets representative at 888-876-6104 to discuss the process and the steps to submitting tissue samples for preservation. There are emergency instructions that can be found here to assist your veterinarian in the collection and shipment of the tissue samples. These instructions will be helpful if your pet passes or the samples must be procured outside of office hours.

How Does The Preservation Process Work?

The cloning process begins with Genetic Preservation. Our Genetic Preservation service starts with skin punch biopsy samples taken by your veterinarian. We then culture those biopsy samples to generate new cell growth. It is those cells that we cryopreserve or freeze for long term storage. A small portion of them will be used in the future for the cloning process.

We recommend receiving the biopsy samples within 5 days of your pet’s passing, and your pet/tissue samples need to be kept at a refrigerated temperature (approximately 4ºC). Unfortunately with the current technology, we are not able to use other samples such as blood, hair, semen, or teeth for the cloning process.

Working With You Through The Cell Culture Process

We know this is a difficult time for you and your family, and we are here to discuss the process with you every step of the way. After working with your veterinarian to collect and ship the biopsy samples, we will contact you once the samples have arrived at our office, and we have started the cell culture process. We encourage you to contact us for updates on the progress of the cell culture after 1-2 weeks.

Once the culture is complete, we will communicate the number of cells that have been cryopreserved for your pet. On average, the culture process typically takes 4 weeks to be completed. We can then work with you to determine when moving forward with cloning is right for you and your family. By having preserved your precious pet’s genetics with us, you will have that option whether it is within the year or 10 years from now. You also have the option of simply keeping your pet’s cells cryopreserved with no commitment to move forward with the cloning process until you are ready. The cells will remain viable indefinitely.

Being Ready For The Option of Pet Cloning

Preserving your pet’s genetics won’t eliminate the grief that comes from their loss, but it may provide comfort in knowing you are honoring the memory of your beloved pet in this manner.  This crucial first step after the loss of a pet also gives you the option to consider pet cloning.  Many of our clients choose to clone their pets at a later date, well after their pet loss.  At the moment of grief they may not have been ready to make a final decision on cloning.  In this way, it’s easy to think of genetic preservation as providing as simply a prudent step that preserves options at a time that can be very stressful.

If you do decide to produce a genetic twin to your pet using the cloning process, it can also bring great joy to your family as you begin to make new memories with your happy, healthy puppy or kitten. The story of your lives, and the unique bond you have with your beloved pet is “to be continued.”