News: Cats for the taking

Published in the June 5 2010 issue of The Edmonton Sun. News


Cats for the taking

It’s the “purr-fect” cat campaign.

Zero down, zero financing — absolutely no payments at all.

This new cat sale campaign, where the felines are free, is being put on by the Edmonton Humane Society and Lexus of Edmonton in response to an overwhelming number of homeless kitties at the shelter.

“It’s called Certified Preowned Cats,” said Shawna Ra n d o l p h, Edmonton Humane Society spokeswoman.

“It’s mirroring a car commercial, but with Lexus of Edmonton it’s a very classy car commercial because it’s luxury vehicles, luxury cats.”

Lexus of Edmonton, along with several individual donors, is sponsoring 125 adult cats up for adoption at the Edmonton Humane Society during the Certified Preowned Cats sale Saturday and Sunday June 5 and 6.

The sponsorship covers the $130 adoption fee normally attached to an individual cat.

“We’re a luxury brand and we believe cats are a luxury animal,” said Bruce Kirkland, general manager of Lexus of Edmonton.

“It’s just a wonderful opportunity for people if they’re in the market for a used cat, as the campaign goes, that now is the time to do it,” Randolph said.

Lexus cars will be lined up outside the humane society for the event. Several cats have also been renamed to match Lexus car colours like Obsidian, a four-year-old black and white cat who has been with the humane society since January.

The Edmonton Humane Society at 13620 163 St. will be open extended hours this weekend for the special adoption event, Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Randolph says those interested in the sale should be aware that it’s not a quick process.

“It’s not a matter of coming, picking the cat and leaving,” she said.

The regular adoption process including adoption papers and an extensive interview will still be in effect.

Currently the EHS is caring for over 200 felines and expects to see numbers increase over the summer.

The Certified Pre-owned Cats campaign is the first of its kind in Edmonton, but the idea originated from a humane society in the United States that found success in cat sales after teaming up with a local car dealership.

If the weekend sale is successful, the humane society plans to hold the event again in the fall.

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