ordering
Zoogen offers two convenient ways to order a Life Jewel™ pendant for your pet.
Order directly from our website
1) Use the shopping cart to order. If you want pendants in different colors, make sure you put them in the shopping cart individually.
2) Pay using one of the following methods:
3) You will given the option of requesting a collection kit as part of your order. We will send it immediately. Or you can simply follow the instructions below.
4) Please print a copy of your Paypal receipt and include it with your sample. If that isn’t possible, simply include a piece of paper with your Paypal confirmation number.
Order by mail
1) Print the order form and fill it out completely. Or, you can call Zoogen and we can fax or mail it to you.
2) Payment, by check or credit card, must be enclosed with your order.
3) Collect a DNA sample from your pet. Don’t worry - it’s not hard! Just follow the instructions below.Note: If your pet is deceased and you have kept some fur, you can still make a lovely pendant using the small amount of DNA contained in fur and combine it with DNA from yourself or another person or pet. Zoogen can also combine cremated ashes with DNA from yourself or another person or pet. Click here for more info.
Collecting DNA
Your companion’s DNA is found in every cell of its body. We offer several options for sample collection.
For cats and dogs
Option 1
Cheek swabs are a great, noninvasive way to collect DNA from a cat or dog. Zoogen sends a collection swab with prepaid orders. The soft brush is gently scraped on the inner cheek to remove cells. The DNA extracted is far less than from a blood sample so Zoogen enhances your pet's DNA with botanical DNA to make it visible. If you would rather not wait for a swab, a new child-size toothbrush can also be used.
Open the swab packet and remove the swab. Gently pull the pet's cheek away from the teeth and insert the brush into the cheek pouch with the bristles presses out against the inner cheek (facing away from the teeth). Gently brush up and down for about 30 seconds. If your companion grows impatient, switch sides or take a break and try again later. Try to brush for at least 30 seconds total. Also, avoid taking the sample immediately after your pet has eaten. Let the brush air dry completely, then place back in the packet and into a paper envelope. Don’t put the swab into a plastic bag or airtight container – the DNA on the brush should be kept dry. If sampling more than one pet make sure to use a separate swab for each, label the packet with the pet's name, and wash your hands in between. Complete the order form and mail it with the brush to Zoogen.
Option 2
A 1 ml blood sample (approximately 1 teaspoon) yields enough DNA to make a
Life Jewel™. If you are planning to visit your veterinarian, simply request that he/she collects 1 ml of blood in a lavender-top blood collection tube. The sample can be shipped in a padded envelope. No refrigeration is required if sent promptly.
For small mammals (ferrets, rabbits, rodents)
Due to their size, it is difficult to collect a good cheek swab from these small companions. A blood sample is the best option in a living pet; it is not necessary to collect the full amount. Instead have your veterinarian collect as much as you are both comfortable with. If the pet is deceased, consider a small tissue sample as an alternative. Have your veterinarian call us for shipping instructions.
For horses and other hoofed animals
Option 1
A 1 ml blood sample (approximately 1 teaspoon) yields enough DNA to make a Life Jewel™. If you are planning a visit from your veterinarian, simply request that he/she collects 1 ml of blood in a lavender-top blood collection tube. The sample can be shipped in a padded envelope. No refrigeration is required if sent promptly.
Option 2
Plucked mane and tail hairs with the hair root material intact are an excellent source of DNA. Wrap a few hairs around your finger and pull slowly and steadily (a quick tug can break the hairs at the base). You should see a little hook-like projection at the end. Gather about 10 hairs into a bunch, secure with tape and place in an envelope or Zip-lock bag. Be sure to label the bag with your name.
For birds, fish and reptiles
Our feathered and scaled friends have DNA in all their blood cells so Zoogen only needs a drop of blood. Blood can be spotted on an ordinary piece of paper, allowed to dry, and enclosed in a paper envelope. If your bird was DNA sexed by Zoogen within the past 7 years, we likely still have a sample. Call us and we will check our sample archive.
For animals that have passed on
Consider having your veterinarian call us for sample options if your pet has just died. If this occurs during non-business hours, request that your veterinarian store your pet’s remains appropriately until we have been able to advise you. Otherwise, please consider the sample options below.
Memorial Life Jewel™
Memorial Life Jewels™ allow you to combine the ashes from a special pet or person with the DNA from another companion or yourself. We can also incorporate the small amount of DNA from hair or feathers into a pendant. This private and highly personal memento lets you keep your loved one close to your heart in a beautiful and life-affirming way.
Hair or Feathers
Clipped or shed hair and molted feathers contains very small amounts of DNA. We are happy to purify this DNA but suggest adding it to a larger DNA sample such as a cheek swab from another pet, another person, or yourself. Seal the hair (a few tufts of hair or a few feathers will be sufficient) in a small Ziploc bag and enclose in the same envelope with your other sample. Please label the bag by writing your name on a piece of tape (Scotch brand or masking tape) and adhere it to the bag.
Cremated ashes
During the cremation process the DNA is completely carbonized. The fine ash can be mixed with DNA from another sample (such as a cheek swab from another pet or person or from yourself) and will be visible as a fine texture on the surface of the DNA. Cremated ashes have variable color and consistency and may alter the DNA's color tint and texture. Dark colors such as amethyst, ruby and emerald may be less intense, light colors may appear darker. Depending on the consistency of the ashes, the DNA surface texture may appear less smooth.
Enclose a few teaspoons of ashes in a small Ziploc bag and enclose in the same envelope with your other sample. Please label the bag by writing your name on a piece of tape (Scotch brand or masking tape) and adhere it to the bag.Gift Certificates
Life Jewel Pendants make a great gift for the pet lover on your holiday list. You can place your order as above – just specify in the instructions that it is a gift. We will send a gift card with an order form (without pricing information!), a brochure and a cheek swab. Please specify in the instructions whether to send the card to you (so you can give it in person) or directly to the recipient at the address you provide. Your recipient can change the color if they like.
Return Shipping Options:
U.S. Priority Mail for destinations within the United States is $10
Global Priority Mail for destinations outside the United States $30
US Postal Service Express Mail $30
Fed Ex domestic or international: please call for price quote.
Timing
Once we receive the sample, we will make every effort to ship your jewelry within 2 weeks. During busy seasons delays are possible.
If you have any questions, please call us at 800.584.2434.
