Brilliance Subaru of Elgin was abuzz
with an extra energy on a recent rainy Saturday morning. By 11:15 a.m., a line had formed out the door and around the corner of the building. But people weren’t there to make a four-wheeled addition to the family, rather a four-legged one. In partnership with Anderson Humane, Brilliance Subaru was hosting their first-ever mega adoption event. And, as the line indicated, it was a huge success.
The Road Home Mega Adoption Event, which took place June 4 and 5, was part of an ongoing partnership between Anderson Humane and Brilliance Subaru of Elgin, through which the dealership hosts one of our adoptable dogs as their Rescue Dog of the Day two days every week. The event was also a local expression of Subaru Loves Pets, a national initiative dedicated to getting animals out of shelters and into loving homes.
The first adopter of the day was Kevin, who took home two kittens, Louie and Lugnut. Kevin admits he was a reluctant cat owner at first, having married into it years earlier when his wife, Maria, brought her cat, Taz, to the family. Clearly Taz grew on Kevin, as he arrived at the adoption event early in order to bring home two kittens he and Maria had spotted on our website. Holding the carrier with his two new furry family members, Kevin said, “This is a cool feeling.”
Steve (pictured here with Grunt) also arrived early to the building where he’d bought a car seven years earlier in hopes that Grunt, the Chihuahua-Dachshund mix he’d also spotted on our website, would still be available. Though he has a kitten and cat at home, he grew up with dogs and was eager to add one to the family – for more than one reason. “My wife passed a week and a half ago,” he said, before his tears took over. He said he was happy to be bringing some new life to his home.
“There’s no doubt these once-homeless animals and their new families will be changed forever,” said Beth Foster, President and CEO of Anderson Humane. Kevin, Steve, and dozens of others showed up even before the event started to check out the 150 puppies, dogs, kittens, and cats available for adoption. Within the first hour, all the puppies in our first batch were spoken for. “In spite of iffy weather on Saturday, we managed to get over 130 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens into forever homes,” said Beth. “By the end of the event on Sunday, 156 adoptions had taken place – a record weekend!”
The Brilliance Subaru team was also excited to see the event come to such successful fruition. “Personally watching the love and joy families experienced adopting a rescue animal was very emotional for all of us,” said Kevin Keefe, owner of Brilliance Subaru of Elgin. “We cheered and celebrated every adoption. The Brilliance Subaru and Anderson Humane teams coming together for one sole purpose was magical.”
Ten-year-old Dakota was excited to be one of the weekend’s adopters with his mom, Katie. They chose Zoe, a black and white puppy sporting an Anderson Humane scarf. “This will teach me excellent responsibility,” Dakota said. “And give me something to cuddle with.”
Another happy adopter was Roger, a veteran who served 27 years in the Navy. Roger explained that his last dog passed in April after being a faithful companion for 14 years, 6 months, and 25 days. That dog was part Chihuahua, which is why he decided to adopt Apollo, another Chihuahua mix. Clutching his new puppy in his arms, Roger said he was excited for the new companion, adding, “I needed a friend.”
Anderson Humane is grateful to Brilliance Subaru and to all the fosters, volunteers, and staff who made this event such a success in bringing people and animals together for good.