He was produced from the DNA of a 17-year-old Maine Coon cat named Nicky who died in 2003.
[1] Little Nicky's owner reported that the cat shared many characteristics with his predecessor, including a similar personality and appearance.
[3] The cloning of Little Nicky was a result of an offer by the company called the "Nine Lives Extravaganza" launched in 2004.
They emphasized that the $50,000 invested in the cloning of animals could be utilized for the care of existing animals in shelters, or invested in programs for spaying and neutering homeless shelter pet populations.
The company that cloned Little Nicky believes that his health issues were acquired and not genetic.