Venessa Johnson formed an instant connection with a six-year-old Shih Tzu named Oliver when she temporarily adopted him in 2013. She described him as the sweetest and gentlest boy she had ever known. They spent 11 happy years together until Oliver passed away in 2024. Devastated by the loss, Johnson began researching pet cloning as a way to bring him back.
While grieving, she discovered companies that offer cloning services for dogs. The process took nearly a year and involved multiple setbacks. Johnson endured 11 months of alternating hope and disappointment. It required three separate attempts before one finally succeeded.
The cloning cost her $50,000 in total. When the puppy arrived, she named him Ollie. He looked exactly like Oliver as an adult. Johnson found the physical resemblance striking and comforting at first.
Over time, however, her feelings shifted. By the time Ollie came home, much of her intense grief had already eased naturally. She now had to adjust to raising an energetic puppy after years with a calm senior dog. This unexpected challenge made her question the entire decision.
Johnson openly shared that “I probably wouldn’t repeat the procedure.” She explained that she might instead visit a shelter and adopt an older dog. An older pet would likely suit her current lifestyle better than a puppy. Still, she emphasized that she does not regret going through with it.
She loves Ollie deeply and finds joy in his presence every day. The puppy has healed her heart in surprising ways she never anticipated. Johnson noted many behavioral similarities between the two dogs. Ollie displays the same habits, antics, and gentle temperament that Oliver had.
These shared traits felt special and unexpected to her. Because she never knew Oliver as a puppy, direct comparisons remain difficult. Yet the familiar mannerisms continue to comfort her. The cloning preserved more than just appearance in her eyes.
Johnson also addressed public criticism about the expense. Some people questioned spending so much on one animal when shelters need support. She pointed out that she still volunteers regularly at shelters and plans to foster dogs again. She believes the backlash often focuses on the price rather than the act itself.
Everyone chooses how to spend extra money, whether on travel, cars, homes, or personal matters like this, she said. What matters most is individual priority. Johnson stands by her choice while understanding different viewpoints. Her experience highlights the complex emotions involved in pet cloning.
Pet cloning uses somatic cell nuclear transfer, the same technique that produced Dolly the sheep in 1996. A cell from the original dog provides DNA that is inserted into a donor egg with its own nucleus removed. The embryo develops and is implanted in a surrogate mother dog. Success rates remain low and multiple surrogates are often needed.
@venessamj At the airport with cloned puppy Ollie #fyp #puppy #petgrief #viagen ♬ original sound – Venessa Johnson
Commercial dog cloning became available in the United States around 2018 through companies like ViaGen Pets. The standard price for dogs is typically $50,000. Cats cost less at around $35,000. Hundreds of dogs and cats have been cloned worldwide since services launched.
The procedure raises ethical concerns among animal welfare groups. Critics highlight potential health issues in cloned animals and stress on surrogate mothers. Many attempts fail before producing a viable puppy. Supporters argue it offers comfort to owners who lose beloved companions.
High-profile cases have brought attention to the technology. Celebrities and ordinary pet owners alike have chosen cloning to preserve their animals’ genetic lines. Each story adds to ongoing discussions about grief, science, and responsible pet ownership. Advances continue while debates about accessibility and animal welfare persist.
What do you think about pet cloning after reading Venessa Johnson’s experience—share your thoughts in the comments.
