• by Karl Greenberg , February 10, 2009

Toyota is promoting its newest vehicle, Venza, with a pitch to pet owners offering a full line of aftermarket pet products through its dealers.

Toyota Venza was exclusive automotive sponsor of the "Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) Dog Show" this week on USA Network. The Torrance, Calif. automaker ran online vignettes showcasing the Venza and featuring WKC Host David Frei. The vignettes will also be available for streaming on USA Network's "Character Rewind" site.

WKC sponsorship is followed by the Global Pet Expo Friday and Saturday in Orlando, Fla. Venza will be the featured vehicle for pet travel safety demonstrations by pet accessory maker Kurgo. Kurgo pet accessories are among those offered for the Venza through Toyota dealers.

Toyota will also launch "Dog Park Days," first in Los Angeles, then Phoenix and Denver. The events will include free pet travel safety seminars by certified pet trainers, Venza ride-and-drive demos for pets and their owners, pet accessories and other giveaways, and free coffee, donuts and dog treats.

Toyota is also a sponsor of "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan" on the National Geographic channel. The company says Venza is the sole vehicle sponsor for the fifth season of the Emmy-nominated series. The sponsorship includes vehicle integration and custom vignettes and billboards highlighting dog-friendly features of the Venza and the best ways to travel with your pet.

"More than 29 million Americans have traveled with their pets within the past three years," says Bob Zeinstra, national product marketing manager for Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc., in a release. "And more than half of all dog owners consider their pet's comfort when buying a car. Our goal is to inform these on-the-go pet owners that Venza is a great choice when it comes to creature comfort and pet travel safety options."

Toyota also has branding on dog-owner Web site www.dogtime.com, and DogTime Media, which is running a feature, "How to Spot a Dog Car." Toyota will also run a Venza-sponsored "Adventure Dog Photo Contest" on DogTime.com, wherein the winner receives a new digital camera.