Imagine having your beloved pet by your side for eternity. With Cryopets, a unique startup backed by billionaire Peter Thiel, this could one day be a reality. Founder Kai Micah Mills is venturing into the field of cryonics, aiming to create a network of animal hospitals that offer pet preservation after their passing.

Growing up with his inseparable long-haired tabby cat, Mills had always been fascinated by the concept of eternal life. His startup Cryopets plans to establish veterinary clinics providing regular check-ups and emergency care. Upon a pet’s death, owners would have the option to preserve their furry friends, who would then be shipped to a Utah facility, waiting in metal vats for a possible resurrection day.

While the idea might sound like science fiction, Peter Thiel, the billionaire investor known for funding groundbreaking projects, believes in Mills’ vision. As one of the latest Thiel Fellows, Mills received $100,000 over two years to develop his company, provided he paused his college studies.

Currently, Cryopets has a waitlist of around 500 pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, and even a monkey. This year, the startup will begin searching for its first veterinarian and start research into organ-warming methods.

The longevity sector is gaining momentum, with a reported $5.2 billion in financing secured last year. Sam Altman invested $180 million into Retro Biosciences, which aims to extend healthy human lifespans by up to a decade. Laura Deming, a venture capitalist focused on longevity, is also working on advancing organ cryopreservation with her startup, Lorentz Bio.

Mills’ ultimate goal is to expand Cryopets’ services to human preservation, as science progresses and people become more accepting of the idea. In his words, pet cryopreservation is “a gateway drug to humans.”

As a sustainability and animal lover, you can Support this innovative approach by staying informed about Cryopets’ progress and sharing the concept with fellow pet owners. The idea of immortal pets might seem far-fetched, but with the right technology and backing, the future could hold fascinating possibilities for our furry friends.

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