NORTH CAROLINA — Bryan and Ashley Bullerdick spent $25,000 to clone their cherished cat, Cinnabun, after nearly two decades of companionship. The couple, married since 1999, turned to cloning as their feline companion approached her 19th birthday, inspired by singer Barbra Streisand’s decision to clone her late dog.
A Decision Born of Love
The Bullerdicks first learned about pet cloning through a news story about Streisand’s cloned dog, Samantha.
“I didn’t know it was possible until I read the article,” Bryan, 43, told SWNS. With Cinnabun aging, the couple grew anxious about her remaining time.
They purchased a DNA kit from ViaGen Pets, the same company that cloned Streisand’s dog, but hesitated before committing.
“We kept it in our freezer for months while we thought about it,” Ashley, 41, said. “But Cinnabun was so dear to us—we had to try.”
The cat had been a constant presence in their lives, even sleeping beside Ashley’s head nightly. “If we had a chance to get another cat like her, we had to take it,” Bryan added.
Bittersweet Timing
Tragically, Cinnabun passed away just one month after the couple decided to proceed with cloning.
“It gave me comfort knowing I’d see her again,” Ashley said. “I gave her the best life for almost 19 years, and now I’d have her back in another form.”
The cloned kitten, born on February 4, was delivered to the Bullerdicks in early March. They were stunned by the resemblance—both in appearance and personality.
“They look identical, and their temperaments are so similar. Both are feisty,” Ashley said. Most importantly, the new kitten inherited the original Cinnabun’s habit of sleeping near Ashley’s head.
Same Name, Same Love
Initially planning to name the clone Bun Bun, the couple changed their minds upon seeing her.
“She looked exactly like Cinnabun as a kitten, so we kept the name,” Bryan explained.
Despite the steep cost, the Bullerdicks—Bryan owns an aerospace business—say the expense was secondary to their emotional attachment.
“People spend this much on vacations,” Bryan noted. “This is a companion we hope will be with us for 20 years.”
Ashley agreed: “We’d definitely do it again.”
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