It's tough being a pet owner separated from your furry friend.
A company called Cuddle Clones wants to change that.
If you send Cuddle Clones a photo of your pet (and money, of course), they'll hook you up with a custom-made stuffed animal or figurine.
CEO Jennifer Williams was inspired when she realized she'd never be able to find a generic stuffed animal that was similar to her great dane, Rufus, Cuddle Clones co-founder Adam Greene told BuzzFeed News.
"She couldn't buy anything off the shelf that would look like him," Greene said. "We found there really was a need from this and no one really was fulfilling it out there."
So far this month, they've fielded at least 500 requests.
They donate a portion of each purchase to pet charities and shelters.
About 40% of customers use the service as a form of self-therapy to memorialize pets who died, Greene said.
"I've lost a pet before," Greene said. "You at least know someone if you haven't. It really is like losing a member of the family. It's quite a jolt."
Others get them to be companions on the road, at nursing homes, or in hospitals.
One teen girl who had to leave home for Lyme disease treatments took the stuffed-animal version of her dog with her on each trip, Greene said.
The toys aren't limited to just cats and dogs — they've also made a little pig.
And a hen.
And horses.
Even a parakeet!
Greene told BuzzFeed News they've filled also filled requests for hamsters, chickens, donkeys, ferrets, bunnies, fish, and even a pet spider.
