• by Tanya Gazdik , December 7, 2021

Mini USA is partnering with Best Friends Animal Society for a no-cost adoption event.

From Dec. 10-12, the automaker hopes to encourage more people to become new pet adopters. 

Best Friends locations in Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Northwest Arkansas, Salt Lake City, and Kanab, Utah will offer a combination of in-person and virtual events over the weekend, following appropriate local COVID-19 protocols. 

Virtual adoption meet and greets with pets in foster homes will also be available through Polk County Animal Services (Florida), Catawba County Animal Services (North Carolina) and Antietam Humane Society (Waynesboro, Pennsylvania). Potential adopters can find a location by visiting www.bestfriends.org/location.

While adoptions were up the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last six months have proven challenging for animal shelters, according to Best Friends. Intake has been higher, staffing has decreased, and adoptions have dropped, resulting in overcrowded shelters and thousands of pets waiting longer than usual for homes. 

Mini owners are animal lovers, with over 60% of owners who have a pet as part of the family, says Rah Mahtani, brand communications manager, Mini USA.

“According to our Mini 'Rules of the Road,' we believe in having a co-pilot who’s ready for adventure, whether human or furry,” Mahtani says in a release. “We can’t think of a better way to help support animal welfare than by making it easier to adopt a pet in need just in time for the holidays.”

Mini USA has been a charity partner with Best Friends Animal Society since 2014, helping support the organization’s focus of working with shelters and animal welfare organizations across the country.