Woman Spends £19k To Clone Beloved Deceased Cat

A heartwarming yet extraordinary tale of love and loss.

Davy

• Published in Interesting
• March 18, 2024

In a story that defies conventional boundaries of pet ownership, a woman's deep bond with her beloved feline transcends even death. With an unwavering devotion, she embarks on an extraordinary journey, spending £19,000 to clone her deceased cat, whom she considers her 'soulmate'.

This remarkable tale explores the depths of human-animal connection and the extraordinary lengths one would go to preserve the bond with a cherished companion. Join us as we delve into this heartwarming yet unconventional narrative of love, loss, and the pursuit of eternal companionship.

Kelly Anderson, 32, from Texas, made the extraordinary decision to spend £19,000 to clone her beloved cat, Chai, who passed away in 2017. Describing Chai as "the closest thing she could describe to a soulmate," Kelly was determined to bring back her cherished companion.

Biologically speaking, Belle, Kelly's new cat, possesses identical DNA to Chai, her beloved feline companion, as a result of the costly cloning procedure totaling £25,000 (£19,100). With Belle nestled on her lap, Kelly addressed the audience, acknowledging their apparent skepticism. "Belle became a part of my life just last year," Kelly disclosed. "And I must say, the wait was undoubtedly worth it."

However, Kelly was quick to note that despite their genetic similarity, Belle's personality diverges significantly from that of Chai. "While Belle shares Chai's genetic makeup," Kelly elaborated, "she is her own distinct feline. I never expected her to replicate Chai, nor did I desire it. What truly matters to me is that I am able to carry on a part of Chai's essence through Belle."

Reflecting on the profound bond she shared with Chai, Kelly expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to perpetuate that connection through Belle. "Belle may possess Chai's genetic blueprint," Kelly affirmed, "but her presence in my life allows me to honor and cherish Chai's memory in a unique and meaningful way."

Ms. Anderson openly admitted that despite the striking resemblance between Belle and Chai, their personalities couldn't be more different. "She is her own cat," Ms. Anderson emphasized. "I never expected her to be Chai, and I never wanted her to be Chai. What matters most to me is that I get to carry on a piece of her through Belle."

Reflecting on the profound bond she shared with Chai, Ms. Anderson expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to continue that connection through Belle. "Belle may be her own unique individual," Ms. Anderson added, "but having her in my life allows me to cherish and honor the memory of Chai in a very special way."

Ms. Anderson turned to Texas-based ViaGen Pets, a division of TransOva Genetics, to facilitate the cloning process. While ViaGen Pets has been specializing in cloning horses and livestock for 17 years, they ventured into cloning cats and dogs three years ago.

The cost for cloning a dog stands at $50,000 (£38,251), while cloning a cat now amounts to $35,000 (£26,753). Notably, the company recently raised the fee by $10,000 (£7,643) to accommodate increasing expenses.

Davy