#Catmode - No Joke!

LaFontaine Automotive Group and the Humane Society of Huron Valley's Partnership More Than an April Fool's Stunt

catmonthAnn Arbor, MI (April 2, 2014) –  On Tuesday, April 1st, the LaFontaine Automovie Group’s FamilyDeal.com website surprised many people when cars turned into cats at the click of a mouse. Of course many people got a kick out of seeing cats with names like 2005 Ford Feline showing up, complete with photos and videos of cats.

“When Jason Stum, Digital Marketing Manager for the LaFontaine Automotive Group, first called us about the idea, we thought it would be a good deal of fun,” said Jaci Nicols, HSHV Development Director. “Anything that will help our adoptable cats get more attention and possibly find a home is well-worth the small amount of time we needed to send photos and links. LaFontaine did all of the work.”

What’s not a joke of course is the plight of hundreds of adult cats that will end up at the Humane Society of Huron Valley this year alone. As spring arrives, it is also a time that many of the adult cats will stay even longer in the shelter, as families begin adopting countless numbers of cute kittens. 

“This is the time of the year that kittens are becoming available for adoption at HSHV,” said Deb Kern, HSHV Marketing Director. “We always know that when kittens are here, they will be adopted first. That means that older cats, or cats that may need special care, can stay in the shelter longer, waiting for homes.  While HSHV has no time limits for how long animals can stay with us, it is hard for staff and volunteers to watch our adult felines get passed by.”

LaFontaine, known for the “Family Deal”, embraces the importance of pets to families and while “catmode” started off because everyone knows that cats are the number one watched video on the internet, this project turned into much more. They reached out to the humane society with the knowledge that #catmode might really help homeless cats.

“The original idea of #CatMode was simply to feature random, cute cats from the Internet in an effort to make our web visitors smile,” said Stum.  “When brainstorming the April Fool’s gag, Nicole Tournaud of our Concierge Team suggested that we partner with a Humane Society and actually feature adoptable cats. It was a no brainer. Within minutes of the suggestion I was reaching out to the HSHV and a partnership was quickly formed. Not only did we make a lot of people smile, we helped get thousands of eyes on the adorable and adoptable cats currently sheltered at the HSHV.”

A 10-year-old Siamese cat named Seal was adopted on April 1st. With hopes that other cats might be seen on catmode, LaFontaine is going to leave the catmode option available on their website for the entire month of April.

 

About the Humane Society of Huron Valley

The Humane Society of Huron Valley, located in Ann Arbor, is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and relies solely on the generosity of our supporters to provide critical community programs and services. HSHV is an award-winning organization, recognized for our best practices and highest animal "save-rate" among all similar shelters in Michigan. Charity Navigator, the nation’s top charity evaluator, awarded HSHV a 4-star ranking, the highest possible. The mission of HSHV is to promote the loving, responsible care of all animals in our community. HSHV is not affiliated with any other humane organization and does not receive funding from the United Way. For more information, call (734) 662-5585 or visit www.hshv.org. LOVE STARTS HERE!

About the LaFontaine Automotive Group

Founded in 1980, the award winning and nationally recognized LaFontaine Automotive Group includes 20 franchises in 10 locations across southeast Michigan and employs over 800 people. The “LaFontaine Family Deal” offers customers more than the best price on a new or pre-owned vehicle, it is the attitude and approach to business developed and nurtured by the LaFontaine family. The LaFontaine's commitment to customers, staff, and local communities is demonstrated by active participation and contributions to numerous non-profit organizations, educational institutions and charities throughout southeast Michigan.

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Humane Society of Huron Valley

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