News Summary
In St. Petersburg, realtor DJ Soucy introduces a creative scheme offering a ‘Free dog with every home sold’ to promote pet adoption. This initiative, in partnership with Pet Pal Animal Shelter, lets homebuyers adopt a pet at no cost or choose a donation to the shelter instead. Since 2020, it has helped raise over $50,000 for the shelter and has significantly increased pet adoption rates. Clients appreciate the chance to welcome a furry friend into their new home, and Soucy aims to inspire other real estate agents nationwide to adopt similar charitable practices.
St. Petersburg, Florida – A local realtor has created a unique initiative to promote pet adoption while helping homebuyers settle into their new residences. DJ Soucy, a realtor in St. Petersburg, has been advertising “Free dog with every home sold” on his real estate signs since 2020. This campaign is part of a partnership with Pet Pal Animal Shelter, aimed at finding loving homes for pets in need of adoption.
Under this program, homebuyers can choose to adopt a dog or cat at no cost when they purchase a home. If clients decide to adopt a pet, Soucy covers the adoption fees. If they opt not to adopt, he donates $200 in their names to the shelter. This approach addresses both the need for pet adoption and the financial support of a local animal charity.
The initiative has proven highly effective since its inception. Over the past three years, it has raised over $50,000 for Pet Pal Animal Shelter through donations linked to clients who chose not to adopt. Soucy typically approaches potential adopters about a week before their closing date, asking if they would be interested in bringing home a new furry friend.
Scott Daly, the Executive Director of Pet Pal Animal Shelter, has confirmed that Soucy’s initiative has saved many animals and has been successful in increasing adoption rates. The no-kill shelter focuses on rescuing animals from kill shelters, striving to pair them with loving families. The funds raised through Soucy’s initiative help cover medical costs and operational expenses at the shelter, which allows them to continue their vital work.
Soucy was inspired to launch this innovative program after seeing a photo of his own dog awaiting him at home while he was busy showing houses. He has previously volunteered with the Animal Rescue League of Boston but struggled to find time to commit while working full-time as a realtor. This personal connection to animals helped him develop a deeper understanding of the importance of pet adoption.
Feedback from clients has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing excitement about the opportunity to adopt a pet while purchasing their new home. Soucy’s creative approach to real estate has garnered attention and even inspired him to expand this charitable model nationwide. He aims to encourage other real estate agents across the United States to adopt similar practices in order to further amplify the impact on local animal shelters.
The increased visibility for Pet Pal due to this initiative has also brought significant attention to their mission and operations. As more homebuyers consider adopting pets as part of their home-buying experience, the collaboration between Soucy and Pet Pal continues to thrive, serving the dual purpose of placing animals into loving homes while financially supporting the shelter’s mission.
In summary, DJ Soucy’s initiative reflects a growing trend in combining real estate with charitable efforts, demonstrating how local businesses can contribute positively to their communities. The “Free dog with every home sold” program is not only improving the lives of homebuyers but also making a meaningful difference for animals in need.
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Additional Resources
- ABC Action News
- Wikipedia: Dog
- Savannah Now
- Google Search: Dog Parks
- St. Pete Catalyst
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Animal Shelter
- Business Insider
- Google News: Florida Real Estate
- The Gabber
- Google Scholar: Pet Adoption
