BOGO Pets?
One of my readers wrote to tell me that in her area the local shelters offer a BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) offer for anyone adopting an animal.
This means that when you adopt a pet from the shelter that you can get another one without any additional fees.
Now you might feel that this is a good deal–which it is considering some of the adoption fees these days.
But, what kind of picture is being set up about the animals and our relationship wiht them?
Yes, animals are considered pets or family members by most of the people I know.
However, in some circles they are commodities –nd the BOGO mindset reminds me simply of stores trying to move inventory–which is probably also true of shelters.
But the subliminal message?
Not that animals are valuable but that they are a commodity–and can be picked up during this bargain period.
Does that create value in the mind of the buyer?
I understand the marketing idea behind it but is it a good one?
What do you think about BOGO Pets?
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Like this post? Subscribe via RSS Read Comment PoliciesJune 16th, 2009 Ark Lady Posted in Animal Blog
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June 16th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
I hate this idea for so many reasons! Where to begin! First of all, if the cost of adoption is a motivating factor for adoption, the person considering adopting a pet should think long and hard whether they are really in a position to adopt a pet. The cost of owning a pet doesn’t end with the adoption fee – there’s the day to day cost of food, litter, toys, bedding, etc., not to mention veterinary costs over the lifetime of a pet (even for a healthy pet, you’ll have to budget at least $200 a year for that, more as the pet gets older).
By making the cost of adoption a marketing issue, shelters are completely devaluing the pet as a commodity. I understand the dire straits many shelters find themselves in, and the need to get animals adopted quickly and in great numbers, but this is not the right approach.
Can you imagine a human adoption agency coming up with a promotion like this? I think not.
So to answer your question – I think this is not just a bad idea, it’s a horribly misguided marketing effort.
June 17th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
@Ingrid: Thanks for your thoughts. It doesn’t sit well with me either.