Shelter’s Edge

Last winter, the ASPCA partnered with Subaru to match local shelters across the country with Subaru dealers. Over 100 shelters held adoption events as part of a “Share the Love” Contest. At these events, communities and businesses were invited to “Stuff the Subaru”– cars were stuffed with pet food, toys and even monetary donations. As a result, these agencies saved over 1,000 lives, raised over $100K collectively and increased traffic to both the shelters and the dealerships. (Can you say win-win?!)

Here to awe and inspire you are the “Share the Love” events of the winning shelters:

Winner! First Prize ($10,000 grant): Animal Allies Humane Society, Duluth, MNThe event: AAHS partnered with three neighboring humane orgs to hold a two-day adoption event at the local Miller Hill Subaru dealership. The result? 126 cats and dogs were adopted! “The event was the most successful adoption event ever held in Duluth, and set a new precedent for partnering with other local shelters for greater animal adoptions,” says Madeleine Robins, AAHS Development & Communications Director. No wonder AAHS landed in first place—at the event they waived cat adoption fees, held a free microchip clinic—75 owned animals were microchipped!—and hosted holiday pet photos with Santa.

Secret to their success: Robins attributes their win to the unique partnership between Miller Hill Subaru, local media stations and the four participating humane societies. Check out this awesome media coverage!!

And the grant goes to… “The money will be split up between the humane organizations to help offset lowered adoption fees and to help cover spay/neuter for shelter animals,” says Robins.

Winner! Second Place ($5,000 Grant): The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, Colorado Springs, COThe event: HSPPR, in conjunction with Heuberger Subaru, held “Adopt till you Drop” adoption events throughout the holiday season. “When it was all said and done, we raised $7,905, and adopted out 724 animals!” says Erin Carroll, HSPPR Communications Manager.

Secret to their success: According to Carroll, the success of “Adopt till you Drop” is a testament to their community’s commitment to helping animals. “The community quite literally stuffed the Subaru with donations,” she says. Get a load of this serious booty:And the grant goes to… “We are using the money to create more happy endings for homeless animals,” says Carroll. “Monthly adoption specials will be held to help increase adoptions, particularly for cats.”

Winner! Third Place ($2,000 Grant): SpokAnimal C.A.R.E., Spokane, WA The event: SpokAnimal held their event at Lithia Camp Subaru. Staff from both the shelter and the dealership posted frequent updates on Facebook, which helped drive many to the event—and it could be why they were out of animals before noon! “Since we had advertised the event as lasting until 4:00 pm, we decided we could send for more!” says Rebecca Mack, SpokAnimal Development Director. They contacted their partner shelters, and more animals were promptly whisked to Camp Subaru. “Every single animal we brought was adopted: 17 cats and 26 dogs!” says Mack.

Secret to their success: Mack chalks it up to their legions of volunteers—and the involvement of the Camp Subaru staff. “One guy from the finance department had donned a volunteer T-shirt, and was chatting up adopters and making matches! By the end of the day, three employees had adopted animals,” she says.And the grant goes to… “We will use the funds for transfers of pets to Daze of Camelot, transfer of cats to Seattle, fee-waived adoptions for cats and feral cat surgeries,” says Mack.

Winner! Third Place ($2,000 Grant): Centre County PAWS, State College, PAThe event: PAWS held their event at Stocker Subaru. “We brought 15 animals, and found homes for 8 of them as a direct result. Many more people came in after hearing about the event; the good public relations was a large part of why we consider the event to have been a success,” says Erin Ridenour, PAWS Co-Director of Publicity.

Secret to their success: “The volunteer turnout and presence of adoptable animals made it a very positive, community-engaging event,” says Ridenour. “Even the people who didn’t adopt left with a good feeling about adopting an animal, and hopefully specifically adopting an animal from Centre County PAWS.” And the grant goes to…“Half of the grant money was put toward our veterinary expenses, and the other half into our spay/neuter assistance program fund,” says Ridenour.

BIG congrats to the other 3^rd place winners that received a $2,000 grant!!! They are:

• Kingdom Animal Shelter, St. Johnsbury, VT
• Irvine Animal Care Center, Irvine, CA
• Protection of Animals in Wakefield Society, Wakefield, MA

By now we’re guessing you can see the benefits of partnering with a local Subaru dealership—so if you’re interested in getting your agency involved, get the full details here. You can also contact sharethelove@aspca.org.

P.S. Have you partnered with a Subaru dealership and want to share your experience? Please do so in the comment box!

Related Links:
About the “Share the Love” Contest
Sample Event Ideas

Tags: Adoption Marketing, Adoption Programs, Fundraising, Saving Lives, volunteers

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