MINI Ireland and Dogs Trust Ireland have teamed up to try and ensure safer and more comfortable travel for your pet pooch this summer. Indeed, MINI plans to be the first official 'dog-friendly' car retailer by next year.
Safe travel for dogs
Julie Bothwell, Head of Sales and Marketing for MINI Ireland, said: "As people return to work since the pandemic, there is a huge need for dog charities such as Dogs Trust, so we are looking forward to supporting them. With more dogs in families now than ever before, we want to help make sure they travel safely and enjoy the ride. It's just as important to us that our four-legged customers love being in a MINI as much as the drivers do and we have had a lot of fun letting dogs of all shapes and sizes put our cars through the ultimate tail-wagging tests. As our partnership continues, we are really looking forward to working with Dogs Trust to help us support our MINI and dog-loving customers across the car buying and ownership journey, as we strive to become Ireland's first officially dog-friendly car retailer."
Education
The path to becoming a dog-friendly retailer is two-fold. First off, MINI dealers will be welcoming dogs (and their owners, of course...) in through the doors, making sure that there are mats for resting and bowls of water put out for thirsty canines. The second strand is working with Dogs Trust Ireland to help educate drivers on best practices for bringing your hound on car journeys.
Karla Dunne, Group Head of Operations, Veterinary and Behaviour at Dogs Trust Ireland, said: "As Ireland's largest dog welfare charity, we're delighted to be part of MINI's journey to becoming fully dog friendly. It's really important that your car is right for the whole family, including your four-legged passenger, whose needs and safety requirements are slightly different to ours. It's wonderful to see MINI, such an iconic automotive brand, considering the needs of dog owners, so they can make sure their beloved canine family members are safe and comfortable when on the road."
Dog-friendly accessories
MINI will be offering buyers dog-friendly accessories, including a dog guard divider for the boot, and a rear compartment mat. It's also talking up the large boot of the MINI Countryman and the side-hinged doors of the Clubman as being particularly doggy-friendly.