Updated: Mini puts rescue dogs on the wheel to help SPCA Auckland drive adoptions

On 10 December, three SPCA rescue dogs—Monty, Porter and Ginny—will make an attempt at driving a Mini Countryman live on New Zealand television to demonstrate the intelligence of SPCA rescue dogs. 

Every year, the SPCA needs to find homes for thousands of dogs. As a charity partner, Mini worked with Draftfcb Auckland to help promote dog adoptions.

The project, a collaboration between SPCA Auckland, renowned animal trainer Mark Vette from Animals on Q and Mini New Zealand, began two months ago. The three dogs have been taking part in a doggy-driver training process at Animal on Q headquarters in advance of their official test drive on Monday.

“Driving a car actively demonstrates to potential rescue-dog adopters that you can teach an old dog new tricks,” said Christine Kalin, SPCA Auckland CEO. “The dogs have achieved amazing things in eight short weeks of training, which really shows with the right environment just how much potential all dogs from the SPCA have as family pets.”

“This is a fun campaign but we hope it will seriously encourage people to consider SPCA dogs for pets. We want this campaign to raise SPCA awareness and drive adoptions,” said Simonne Mearns, Mini brand manager New Zealand. “The Mini Countryman has been modified to suit operation by paws and will be reverted and available for sale after the campaign.”

The campaign will run across major TV and radio networks, magazines, newspapers, websites, and billboards in major cities throughout New Zealand, as well as supported by social media. 

So far the teaser video on YouTube (embedded above) has received 26,500 views since it was posted on 2 December. 

Update 11 December: They succeeded, 26 thousand views and counting. Good boy, Porter!