Some of the stores on the 2021 Best Dealerships To Work For list have gone all-in on introducing four-legged companions to the showroom or sponsoring charitable initiatives to aid animal rescue causes.
Cats and cars? Several dealerships are cool with that concept. BMW of Mobile, in Alabama, adopted a cat named Beemer. Beemer doesn’t close deals, but his purring and lounging throughout the store is “instant stress relief” for customers and sales associates alike, according to Scott Davis, the dealership’s center operator.
Some stores dub themselves pet-friendly. Friendship Nissan in North Carolina and Friendship Hyundai in Tennessee encourage customers to bring pets with them while they shop or get their vehicles serviced, said Dustin Walters, dealer principal of both stores.
Employees at Mercedes-Benz of North Scottsdale, in Arizona, can take in their dogs on specific days, said Michael Faul, general manager. Guests are also welcome to bring in their canines, who get treats and fresh water, Faul said.
Many dealerships and their employees are heavily involved in pet rescue causes. Technicians at Larry H. Miller Hyundai Peoria in Arizona pulled a mother cat and its newborn kittens from the fender well of a new vehicle and surrendered them — along with donations they raised — to a local rescue.
Several dealerships, such as Patriot Subaru of North Attleboro in Massachusetts, take part in adopt-a-pet events or support shelters and other animal organizations.
One dealership, Faulkner Subaru Harrisburg in Pennsylvania, has worked with its local Humane Society for 16 years and Speranza Animal Rescue, a no-kill rehabilitation shelter, for 10 years.
In addition to supporting animal causes, Patriot Subaru also embraces dogs visiting the dealership.
“They provide calm,” said Patriot Subaru President Adam Arens.