Want to increase holiday adoptions? Think like a retailer

Every retail business knows that one key to generating sales is to generate store traffic. And one way to generate store traffic is to be in a high-traffic location.

Unfortunately, a large percentage of the animal shelters in this country don't have the luxury of being in high traffic locations.  Many are stuck in warehouse districts and on the outskirts of town where people seldom travel.

One thing many good shelters do to increase adoptions is to do off-site adoptions in high-traffic areas. And for the next six weeks, one of our local shelters -- one that is doing it right -- Animal Haven, is upping the anty. For the next six weeks they are going to be opening a pet adoption center in a store front in Oak Park Mall -- one of the premier mall locations in Kansas City.

With some help from a local corporation and from the down economy, they were able to rent out an empty store fronts in the mall and will be able to adopt animals in one of the higher-trafficked areas in the city around the holidays.  This is a great deal for them, and something many shelters can do -- particularly in this tough economy.

With the tough economy, most malls -- even great malls -- have empty store fronts. Many would be willing to allow adoption centers for a fairly minimal cost in order to avoid having the empty store front (and a smart mall operator will see tax write-off possibilities). And the high volume of traffic offered at most mall locations can't help but bring in more potential adopters.

In the end, everyone wins -- more animals are adopted. Fewer animals are killed. And more people get the joy of pet ownership. 

Comments

[YesBiscuit]

I think PETA just fell out.

[Rinalia]

What a neat, smart concept!

[Jamie]

I am looking to start something similar to this where I live. Both nearby pounds are way off the beaten path (one right next to the sewage treatment plant...stinky!), neither allow volunteers or foster homes, and have overall poor customer service. There is an empty building next to Petco that I would love to turn into a year round adoption center for both dogs and cats. I can see so much good that would come from it but I have so much to learn about how to start and run one. I would love to get all the nitty gritty details.

[Brent]

Jamie,

It might be good for you to contact the folks at Animal Haven here in Kansas City -- they can give you the skinny on how they set up the program. If you contact their main number (the link to them is above), and ask for Laura, she is usually a great person to talk to. Depending on the state there will be some rules that you'll have to follow to set up a separate "rescue" at that location - get the business license, etc. The rules will vary some by state. But I'd contact Laura at Animal Haven and see if she can give you some insight. I think it sounds like an awesome idea.