Texas-based ViaGen Pets & Equine has cloned thousands of pets since 2015. Online influencers are popularizing their services.
“There are a handful of our clients that have a social media presence,” ViaGen client service manager Melain Rodriguez told TODAY. “That’s definitely going to grow.”
The process can cost from $35,000 to $85,000 depending on the animal and can take several years.
Animal welfare groups like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) are against the morally questionable procedure.
“These are very special pets that the client loves above everything else, and it’s a member of the family for them,” Rodriguez said.
One individual, who cloned their dog, had this to say: “I don’t believe that cloning should become a trend. I hope it doesn’t, pray it doesn’t, because I don’t think it’s something that should be overused or overdone.”
