More lives, more love: We’ve cloned more animals than anyone on Earth

Viagen currently provides genetic preservation (GP) and cloning services for dogs and cats.

Your Viagen counselor will be able to provide you with feedback regarding your genetic preservation (GP) process in less than 4 weeks from the submission of your sample. GP cell growth timelines can vary but Viagen will keep you informed along the way.

The cloning process requires the same gestation (60-65 days) and nursing process (56 days) as with any pet breeding technique.

Viagen works with clients in the order in which they are received, and timelines can vary slightly based upon current pet cloning client demand.

In order to initiate a successful genetic preservation (GP) or cloning process, timing and proper procedures are critical if your pet has just passed away. Please call (866) 770-7503 right away to speak to a Viagen Counselor for specific information and instructions.

Refrigerating and NOT FREEZING your dog or cat’s tissue sample immediately after death is the first critical step. Tissue biopsy samples should then be collected from your pet as soon as possible.

We recommend that your veterinarian perform the tissue biopsy. Our protocol for this biopsy procedure can be found here.

The biopsy for Genetic Preservation & Cloning can be done at any age. Samples taken from a living pet are preferable. The samples required from a living pet are 4 mm skin punch biopsies, which can be performed on a dog with a local anesthetic such as Bupivacaine or Ropivacaine (Lidocaine is not recommended). Biopsy samples can often be collected as a secondary procedure while a pet is already under general anesthesia for a procedure such as a dental cleaning.

To order your pet’s genetic preservation (GP) or cloning, simply call us at (866) 770-7503. A Viagen Counselor will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

You may also order pet genetic preservation directly through this website by clicking the “Services” tab on the menu bar on the home page.

No. Viagen genetic preservation and cloning services do not involve changing or altering of your pet’s genetic material in any way. GP and cloning simply preserves the exact genetic identity of your cat or dog. A cloned animal simply shares the identical genes from the donor pet, just like naturally occurring identical twins do.

Viagen provides our clients with a genetic report from an independent University genetic laboratory which compares the DNA sample taken during the donor biopsy with the DNA sample taken from Viagen’s produced cloned puppy or kitten. This report will show proof that the donor and cloned pet DNA is identical.

If for some reason Viagen fails to achieve a successful cloned pet birth using a viable genetic sample, the cloning deposit paid by the owner will be fully refunded.

There is no refund or guarantee for GP.  However, should the tissue sample you send us not render a successful genetic preservation, you may send a second sample for us to culture at no additional cost.

No. These are three separate services.

For the biopsy required to GP and clone your pet, this quick and routine procedure is done by your veterinarian. For cloning, each animal involved in the cloning process is continually cared for by an expert veterinarian and trained Viagen team, and are watched and monitored continually to ensure the animal’s comfort, health, and well-being.

Viagen keeps our pet owners informed each step of the way, whether for GP or cloning. Viagen staff communicates frequently with regular updates and sends weekly photos of new puppies and kittens while they are in our care.

Your pet’s genes can be preserved on a long-term basis through Viagen’s genetic preservation (GP) service. Our genetic preservation (GP) process is conducted in three steps.

1. We send you a Viagen Biopsy Kit, which your veterinarian will use to collect a tissue sample from your cat or dog. Your veterinarian will then send that tissue sample to Viagen.
2. We culture new cells in our lab from your pet’s tissue sample. This allows us to ensure that the cells are ultimately usable to clone your pet – if you choose to do so.
3. We cryopreserve (freeze) these live cells for growing at a later time if desired.

No. Pet genetic preservation (GP) and cloning are two separate and distinct services. Genetic preservation (GP) is the first simple step toward cloning and enables the opportunity for you to clone your dog or cat at a later date – if you choose to do so.

Viagen takes the security of your pet’s genetic materials very seriously. We ensure the safety of your pet’s genes in several ways, including duplicate storage of cell lines in multiple locations, alarm systems, and limited personnel access.

Your personal Viagen Counselor will notify you within four weeks after your tissue sample has been received by us as to whether your dog or cat’s genes were successfully preserved.

Viagen will notify you if your dog or cat’s tissue sample has not provided a sufficient quantity or quality of viable cells.  If this situation arises, you’ll be able to send us a second sample for us to culture at no additional cost.

No. The tissue biopsy process will not harm your dog or cat. We recommend having your veterinarian perform this simple and straightforward procedure during routine procedures such a dental hygiene.  Typically, your pet will fully heal from a tissue biopsy in just a few days.

Viagen stores your dog or cat’s genetic material by using cryopreservation. Cellular material preserved in such a manner has been used successfully decades after the original preservation date.

If you choose to discontinue preserving your cat or dog’s genes, simply notify us and we’ll send you a Preservation Closure form to sign and return. Once we receive your signed form your pet’s cell preservation will stop, and your pet’s genetic materials will be retired safely and respectfully.

Yes.  Viagen will prepare and safely transfer your pet’s genetic materials to the company of your choosing.  We charge a processing fee to do this. Please call us at  866-770-7503 for more information.

Express tissue banking (ETB) is an option for pet owners who are not sure that they will move forward with pet cloning, and represents a lower cost alternative to genetic preservation (GP). Please discuss this option with your Viagen Counselor.

Express tissue banking (ETB) may be ordered through this website by clicking the “Services” tab on the menu bar on the home page.

You own your pet’s genetic material. We do not clone, transfer, culture or dispose of genetic materials without your instruction.

A dog or cat genetic preservation (GP) costs $1,600.00.

*Prices are subject to change without notice.

A cloned dog or cat is simply an identical twin of the donor pet that is born at a later date.  A cloned cat or dog shares the exact genetic identity of the donor pet–just as naturally occurring identical twins share the exact same genes.

To learn more about how cloning (Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer) works, please watch our animated video on our homepage.

To ensure the most animal-friendly and controlled conditions, the Viagen cloning process takes place in the U.S., and within a high-health, bio-secure environment and facilities.

Yes. In the rare situations where c-section birth is required, Viagen is equipped to deliver puppies and kittens in this manner as well.

Cats and dogs delivered by cloning have the same genes as their donor pets and will be the closest match possible to the donor. This is best described as identical twins born at a later date. The new puppies and kittens will be the same sex as the donor, but just as it is in nature, may have slight phenotypic differences, such as different markings due to natural epigenetic factors. The environment does interact with genetics to impact many traits such as personality and behavior.

Yes. Cloned pets do have lives of normal lengths. This has been demonstrated across many species.  The current age of the donor pet does not have any impact on the aging of the new cloned pet.

Viagen provides our clients with a veterinarian inspected healthy puppy or kitten.  As pets age they face the same environmental risks as other dogs and cats in similar environments.

No.

Unfortunately, all forms of reproduction result in some unhealthy births. Regular health checks are performed on animals to ensure the health and wellbeing of the animals.

Dog cloning costs are $50,000.00, paid in two equal installments.

Cat cloning costs are $50,000.00, paid in two equal installments.

*Pricing is subject to change without notice.