The once-clear line between life and loss has blurred for pet owners, thanks to a new and controversial technology. Kelly Anderson, a 35-year-old pet owner, was devastated when her five-year-old Ragdoll cat, Chai, tragically passed away after ingesting plastic that had been left out by a pet sitter. Though Chai’s surgery was initially successful, complications from anesthesia ultimately led to her death.
In her grief, Anderson made the bold decision to preserve Chai’s memory in a unique way: by using Chai’s DNA to create a living clone for the hefty price tag of $50,000. “When she died, I felt robbed of time with her,” Anderson shared with the DailyMail.com. “I cloned her not to recreate or replace her, but to carry on a piece of her.”
What started as a deeply personal way to hold onto her beloved pet soon became a flashpoint for ethical debates, financial scrutiny, and a reevaluation of what it means to be a pet owner. Anderson faced heavy criticism online, with many questioning why she didn’t adopt another pet or donate the money to animal causes instead. Others accused her of “playing God” or simply “replacing” Chai—criticism she vehemently rejects.
Despite the backlash, Anderson stands by her decision. She calls the experience with ViaGen Pets, a Texas-based company that helped her clone Chai into a new cat named Belle, “the greatest thing I’ve ever done.” Belle, she notes, shares many of Chai’s traits, including her “bold, bossy, sassy” personality. Anderson observes that while the two cats’ personalities are about 60 percent the same, Belle is still growing into her own distinct character, shaped by her different upbringing.
“Chai had a rough start to life and wasn’t socialized properly,” Anderson explained. “Belle, on the other hand, was exposed to the world from day one and was more adventurous initially. But as Belle has been getting older, she’s becoming more like Chai and in the last month has also been picking up on my emotions like Chai used to.”
Anderson clarifies that the cloning was financed by a loan, and she regularly donates to animal welfare causes as part of her commitment to helping animals in need. She emphasizes that her decision to clone Chai was not an attempt to replace her, but rather a way to honor her memory.
Before Chai’s passing, Anderson had created an Instagram account dedicated to her cat, which had amassed nearly 100,000 followers. After Chai’s death, Anderson changed the account’s username to Clone Kitty and shared her cloning journey with her online community. “I went public with my decision to clone because I had already formed a following around Chai while she was alive, and people were fascinated by the idea that I was going to clone her,” Anderson said. “She had a loyal fan base, and I wanted to honor her memory and keep her image alive.”
Though Anderson has faced criticism for her decision, she responds with a measured tone. “We aren’t always going to agree on things,” she said to her critics. “At the end of the day, it was a very personal choice for me, and I made it out of love for animals and my love of Chai. There’s absolutely no need for hate when we can simply have constructive conversations about the issues at hand.”
Anderson also clarified that she did adopt another cat after Chai’s death and believes that cloning and adopting are separate options. “I love all my cats, but the bond with Belle was immediate and emotionally charged. It’s different,” she explained.
Regarding the slight physical differences between Chai and Belle, Anderson noted that she expected variations in coat patterns due to epigenetics and other factors. “I didn’t care about demeanor or appearance at all. I honestly just wanted to carry on that piece of Chai and honor her memory.”
When asked if she would clone Belle, Anderson said she would not, as she felt she got what she wanted the first time. However, she also mentioned that she might consider cloning her service dog in the future, if she had the funds. “Temperament is widely genetic, so especially for working dogs, cloning can be an invaluable tool,” Anderson said. She added that the significant cost of cloning remains a barrier for many people.
Related Topics
