In spite of the global confusion caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, nationwide shelter in place orders have had an unexpected benefit - an increase in pet adoptions and fostering.
Over 6.5 million animals enter the shelter system in the United States each year and as many as 3.2 million find their forever homes. Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, comments that fostering rates have increased by 90% in some cities. Certain shelters in New York City are receiving adoption applications at 10 times the normal rate.
As Americans spend more time at home to slow the spread of COVID-19, local businesses are rising to the challenge to provide for their communities. At Astro Loyalty, we're doing our part to support small and independent pet stores as well as the pet owners they serve with our Sharing the Love program.
Small businesses are the heart and soul of America but it's tough to survive in a world where convenience often supersedes quality. At Astro Loyalty, we're proud to support independent retailers like you and it's our goal to help you gain a competitive edge, especially over online retailers.
Localize your advantage and get a leg up on big-box pet stores with the Sharing the Love program. This program enables you to connect directly with pet product manufacturers at no cost to you, passing the benefits on to your community. Everyone who adopts a pet in 2020 is eligible to receive a complimentary "welcome home" gift including food, treats, and other pet gear from major brands. Many top-rated manufacturers are already on board- all you have to do is complete your free enrollment and share the campaign. Share the Love program
If you're not already part of the Astro Loyalty program, sign up for a free trial here.
You don't have to hire an expensive advertising agency to tell you how much people love their pets. Roughly two-thirds of American households own pets and related spending increases every year.
The annual American Pet Products Association (APPA) report found that total spending in the U.S. pet industry exceeded $95 billion in 2019 and is expected to approach $100 billion in 2020. Online retailers account for a significant percentage of those sales, but small and independent businesses offer something big box stores can't - a local connection.
As pet owners, our furry friends are precious to us. In fact, the only thing that comes close to our love for our furry friends is a love for free products. That's where the Sharing the Love program comes in.
As an independent retailer, the first step toward building a relationship with your community is to get potential customers through the door. With the Sharing the Love program, you have an opportunity to grow your customer base at no additional cost to you. New pet parents receive the gift of free pet supplies and you receive the opportunity to win their repeat business.
So far, over 50% of those who redeem this offer are new customers to the retailer. It's the perfect opportunity to expand your customer base, all while supporting the noble cause of pet adoption.
At Astro Loyalty, we're connecting top pet product manufacturers with independent retailers like you to grow your business, support local communities, and help bring pets home.
Simply enroll online and begin to share the campaign with your local community.
Join and share the love with your community on Facebook and Instagram. Demonstrate your business' commitment to the cause and take advantage of Astro Marketing's full suite of communication tools to help you spread the word and connect directly with your customers.
Times may be tough, but when we all Share the Love the world gets a little bit brighter.