February 2012

Audience: Executive Leadership, Foster Caregivers, Public, Shelter/Rescue Staff & Volunteers, Veterinary Team

When the Dane County Humane Society (lead agency for Maddie's® Projects in Dane County, WI) had an influx of cats and kittens with upper respiratory infections last summer, they knew they had to take action. What did they do? Held a clearance sale!

With absolutely zero budget or lead time, they launched a next-day "Cats with Colds" clearance, offering the cats and kittens with special training in how to medicate them and how to protect any other cats in the home.

While the adoption staff was being trained in how to educate the adopters, the PR staff was letting their Facebook followers and the local media know about the promotion.

Twenty cats were adopted immediately, mostly kittens. After four days, every one of the available cats had been adopted, with their new humans saying things like, "A cold? I don't mind that, and I know how to pill a cat!"

Happy endings all around for dozens of cats with colds!