ViaGen Pets Announces First Cloned U.S. Kittens and Puppy
AUSTIN, Texas…August 1, 2016 — ViaGen Pets has delivered the first American-born cloned puppy, ‘Nubia,’ a spunky Jack Russell Terrier, who is a genetically-identical twin of the owner’s beloved pet.
ViaGen Pets is now the only American company offering pet cloning services in full compliance with all U.S. regulatory standards and humane pet care practices. The company expects this will increase demand for cloning and genetic preservation (GP) of companion pet DNA.
ViaGen has been the global leader in GP and cloning services for equine and livestock for more than a decade. This significant milestone, highlighting ViaGen’s success advancing companion pet reproduction and genetic preservation services, coincides with the 20th anniversary of the first cloned animal, Dolly the Sheep in July 1996. The Austin, Texas-based company is also the sole provider of genetically-similar kittens, and has delivered several of them to clients over the past year.
“Losing a pet can be devastating. Talking to bereaved pet owners about genetic preservation and cloning is a win-win for veterinary practitioners looking to offer compassionate options that soften the finality of pet loss,” says Dr. Joel Ehrenzweig, a veterinary consultant. “ViaGen Pets technology can help dissipate compassion fatigue within a practice by offering end-of-life options and facilitating client transition through the grief process.”
ViaGen Pets Honors Pet Bonds
The ViaGen Pets team works closely with pet owners and pet caregivers, offering options for preserving, protecting, and memorializing the relationship with a beloved animal companion.
“Like a veterinary practice, we’re a group of animal lovers who fully understand and share the bond people have with their pets,” says Blake Russell, ViaGen Pets CEO. “We have set the standard for genetic preservation and animal cloning services, and our companion, equine and livestock owners around the world trust that we will always have their best interests at heart.”
“GP is a logical addition to a veterinary practice — something staff can talk to clients about during wellness visits,” says Ehrenzweig. “It is a fundamental step for informing people and engaging them in a discussion about cloning as a viable option.”
Considering cloning at the end of a pet’s life can soften the impact of loss for pet owners, their families and veterinary practice staff. “As a veterinary oncologist also focused on palliative care and hospice for dogs and cats, I see how this could become a more accessible opportunity for those who want to have an option for a continuum with a genetically-similar pet who they are on the verge of losing,” says Dr. Alice Villalobos, a world-renowned veterinarian in Los Angeles. “I’ve had cloned dogs as patients and the owners are very happy with their decision.”
Genetic Preservation is Safe, Simple and Accessible
A cloned puppy or kitten is simply a genetic twin born at a later date, and should share many of the original’s attributes, including intelligence, temperament and appearance.
ViaGen Pet’s technologically-advanced process begins with genetic preservation, a basic biomedical procedure used to safeguard and maintain the pet’s DNA. Veterinarians simply collect and send a small tissue sample to ViaGen Pets, where cells are cultured and then cryopreserved. ViaGen Pet’s GP service costs $1,600 with a $150 per year annual storage fee.
To produce a clone, the technician replaces the nucleus of a donor egg with one of the founder’s frozen cells. ViaGen’s proprietary treatment process joins this egg and cell together to produce an embryo, which a highly-trained ViaGen embryologist then implants in a surrogate mom. An identical genetic twin is delivered after a normal gestation period. Research has shown that cloned animals have the same health traits and life expectancy as other pets.
ViaGen Pets Advancements Make Cloning More Affordable for Pet Parents
ViaGen Pets advanced technology brings U.S-based cloning services within reach of more pet lovers, offering canine cloning for $50,000 and feline cloning for $25,000. ViaGen Pets offers cloning with a 100 percent money-back guarantee. The Company assumes full responsibility for the long-term care and well-being of all egg donors and surrogates.
About ViaGen Pets
ViaGen Pets is an American company led by dog and cat lovers who understand the bonds people share with their companion pets. Using patented technologies ViaGen Pets honors this life-enriching affinity by safely protecting and preserving a pet’s genetics—the blueprint that determines appearance, behavior, and select personality traits. Based in Austin, Texas, ViaGen, LC has been the world’s leading company for responsible genetic preservation and cloning services for 15 years. ViaGen Pets has delivered puppies and kittens to people who wish to remain connected to their beloved pets. For more information, visit www.viagenpets.com or speak with a ViaGen counselor at 888-876-6104.