Florida Man Pays $50K to Clone Beloved Boston Terrier

Luiz Hoinkis preserves bond with late dog through genetic replica

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A Miami resident named Luiz Hoinkis cloned his Boston Terrier, Lucas, after the dog died of lymphoma, preserving their unique bond through a genetic replica. Hoinkis described Lucas as his best friend and soulmate, and after the dog's death, he explored cloning and collaborated with Colossal Biosciences and Viagen to create a clone of Lucas at a cost of $50,000. The cloning process takes about 80 days and involves somatic cell nuclear transfer technology. Despite the high cost and potential risks, Hoinkis has no regrets, saying "It's almost like it never happened, like he never left me."

Why it matters

Cloning pets is a growing trend, with celebrities like Barbara Streisand, Paris Hilton and Tom Brady also opting for it as a way to preserve the bond with their beloved animals. This case highlights the lengths some pet owners will go to keep their furry friends alive, even after death, and the ethical and financial considerations around pet cloning.

The details

Hoinkis got Lucas in 2017 and described the dog as his best friend and soulmate, accompanying him on travels to dozens of countries. After Lucas' death from lymphoma, Hoinkis explored cloning and collaborated with Colossal Biosciences and Viagen to create a clone of Lucas. The cloning process takes about 80 days and involves somatic cell nuclear transfer technology, where the nucleus from the original dog's cells is extracted and placed into an egg cell to create an embryo that is then carried by a surrogate dog.

  • Hoinkis got Lucas the Boston Terrier in 2017.
  • Lucas died of lymphoma in 2025.
  • Hoinkis began the cloning process shortly after Lucas' death.

The players

Luiz Hoinkis

A Miami resident who cloned his beloved Boston Terrier, Lucas, after the dog's death.

Lucas

Hoinkis' Boston Terrier who died of lymphoma in 2025.

Colossal Biosciences

A company that collaborated with Hoinkis to clone Lucas using somatic cell nuclear transfer technology.

Viagen

A company that also collaborated with Hoinkis to clone Lucas.

Matt James

The chief animal officer at Colossal Biosciences who explained the cloning process.

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What they’re saying

“What Lucas and I have is very unique.”

— Luiz Hoinkis (wbal.com)

“The price is like, look at this … this achievement.”

— Luiz Hoinkis (wbal.com)

“We're using a technology called somatic cell nuclear transfer, or as we call it, cloning.”

— Matt James, Chief Animal Officer, Colossal Biosciences (wbal.com)

“It's almost like it never happened, like he never left me.”

— Luiz Hoinkis (wbal.com)

“Not at all. I would have regretted it if I hadn't.”

— Luiz Hoinkis (wbal.com)

What’s next

There are currently a seven-month waiting list for those interested in cloning their dogs.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing trend of pet cloning, with some owners willing to pay high costs to preserve the bond with their beloved animals even after death. While controversial, it provides comfort and a sense of continuity for grieving pet owners like Luiz Hoinkis.