BAY CITY, MI — Pet owners looking for a furry respite from this volatile presidential election season have an opportunity this weekend.
From 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, through 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8 — Election Day — all eight Soldan's Pet Supplies locations in Michigan are participating in a Dogs vs. Cats Presidential Race.
Participants are encouraged to bring in their pets and get their pictures taken in front of the in-store voting booth. After receiving a photo of your Clinton cat or Trump dog (or vice versa), you can use the hashtags #VoteSoldans #WhyIVotedDogs #WhyIVotedCats on social media.
Those not in favor to the two-party system can bring in a third-party animal.
There is a $1 fee per vote and there is no limit on the number of ballots one may cast. The fees directly benefit an animal rescue group of the participant's choice.
Once the polls close, Soldan's will match the donations, dollar for dollar. The results are to be posted each night on Soldan's Facebook page.
"All of the negativity this election has brought about got us thinking, why not host our own presidential race?" says Nikki Soldan, business development manager of Soldan's Pet Supplies. "We have a smooch-your-pooch kissing booth that we bring out for events that we retrofitted into a voting booth. You even get a 'I voted at Soldan's' sticker and a $5 bounce back coupon to thank you for helping us raise money for our local rescues."
You can make your donation to any of the following participating pet rescue organizations:
- Capital Area Humane Society
- Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter
- Gone 2 the Dogs Pet Rescue
- SMART Paws
- Humane Animal Treatment Society
- Humane Society of Bay County
- Humane Society of Midland County
- Voiceless-MI
- Naked K9 & Small Dog Rescue
- The Kitten Nursery
- Greyhound Retirement Adoption Care and Education (GRACE)
- New Hope Pet Rescue
- Eaton County Humane Society
- SOS Animal Rescue
- Hillcrest Farms Kitten Rescue
- Karen Hartwig Foundation
- GAIN Michigan
- Dalis to the Rescue
- The Cat Ambassador Inc.
Below is a list of the eight Soldan's locations:
- 4140 Wilder Road in Bay City
- 2032 N. Midland Road in Midland
- 1721 S. Mission St. in Mount Pleasant
- 12286 Old U.S. 27 in Dewitt
- 1802 W. Grand River in Okemos
- 5200 South M.L. King Blvd. in South Lansing
- 6201 W. Saginaw Highway in West Lansing
- 515 Lansing Road in Charlotte
