It’s a “ruff” life for orphaned dogs, and the Aloft Asheville Downtown in Asheville, North Carolina, has found a unique way to help. The hotel, which is owned and managed by Tampa, Florida-based McKibbon Hotel Group, has teamed with local Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue (CAAR) in an effort to boost dog-adoption numbers in the community.
As guests arrive at the Aloft Asheville Downtown, a dog welcomes them from behind the registration desk dressed in an “Adopt Me” vest. Guests can interact with the dog during check-in as well as at the hotel lounge and additional designated areas.
Since the program launched in August 2014, more than 20 dogs have found permanent homes. “We hope to save over 100 dogs in 2015 with our partnership with the McKibbon Hotel Group,” said Kim Smith, president of CAAR. “The dogs are set in a natural environment, which gives guests one-on-one interaction, versus a rescue facility where only 1 out of 10 dogs have a chance of being adopted. A single dog receives much more exposure while increasing their chances.”
Additional Mckibbon Hotel Group properties have taken similar action to support local pet shelters in their communities. Aloft Greenville Downtown has partnered with local rescue and rehabilitation facility, Pet Tender Angels, Aloft Tallahassee will partner with Last Hope and Homewood Suites Tampa Westshore will partner with Paws of Hillsborough County.