When 11-year-old Samantha Sedrick walked into Pettus Ford De Soto on May 20, she hoped she would see puppies.
Her grandmother took her there because she knew the dealership hosted adoptable pets on Waggin’ Wednesday.
Every Wednesday for more than a year, an adoptable pet from the City of De Soto Kennel, 1310 Public Works Drive, spends much of the day (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at the dealership, 12836 Hwy. 21, hanging out with staff and meeting potential new families.
Tracy Gersbacher, a member of the Pettus Ford sales team, said the dealership will pay the city’s $50 adoption fee to help any of the dogs and cats find a home.
For Sedrick, it was a good day to stop by.
Normally, there is one pet at the dealership but on this particular Wednesday, she was greeted by nine lab mix puppies: Sunny, Simon, Sophie, Stormy, Scout, Snoop, Steffi, Stella and Sammi.
The puppies were estimated to be 6-8 weeks old. The smallest of the group was Sammi, the only brown-haired one of the bunch, at 3.6 pounds and Scout, who weighed 5.9 pounds.
Sedrick held Stella for a while and then another puppy and then another one. When asked which were her favorites, she named four or five.
Sedrick wasn’t the only one who fell in love with the pups.
By the end of the day, Pettus received adoption applications for several of the pups that will be available for adoption the week of June 1.
Gersbacher said the pups had a rough beginning as they were found abandoned by a creek on May 4, and the person who found them allegedly threatened to put them out of their misery.
A woman turned the pups over to the kennel, which is a no-kill shelter.
He said Pettus has already paid the city’s adoption fees for more than 55 animals, mostly dogs. Of course, with so many dog lovers on staff, a third of the adoptions were probably by Pettus employees, he said.
“I have one at my house,” said Gersbacher, adding he currently has four dogs. “I fall in love with all of them.”
It was Gersbacher’s love of dogs that started the Waggin’ Wednesday program. He said the owner, Joe Pettus, also loves dogs.
He said when they first started Waggin’ Wednesday, they thought they would bring all the adoptable dogs to the dealership at once.
“It was noisy and overwhelming,” he said.
Now, one dog comes for a visit and photos of that dog are posted on Gersbacher’s Facebook page. A day at the dealership allows the animal to get away from the kennel and show off his or her personality. Gersbacher said the animals behave so well and often follow him and other employees around at the dealership.
He said all are potty-trained (except for the puppies who are learning).
“The customers love it,” he said. “They wish we had them every day.”
Photos of adoptable pets always are on display near the dealership’s entrance, Gersbacher said.
The lineup of current adoptable pets included four other dogs: Lucas, Chase, Reba and Gracie, and a mostly black cat named Nite.
Lucas, a mini pit bull, is described as a 2-year-old “love bug” who loves to play. He’s neutered. He is friendly with everyone, including other animals.
Gracie, about 7 months old was dumped and found covered in ticks. She was initially timid is friendly with everyone, including other pets.
Chase, an Akita mix that is about a year and a half old, was a stray who got his name for after he was accused of chasing chickens. He is described as a sweetheart with a lot of energy. He loves people and gets along with other dogs.
Lastly, there’s Reba, a pit mix. Gersbacher said he has been working with Reba to get her socialized.
“She’s much better now,” he said.
Gersbacher said when a pet has been in the kennel for a while, the dealership also will pay to get the animal fixed.
For more information about the city’s kennel or to set up an appointment to see an animal, call 636-243-2300 or find the City of De Soto Kennel on Facebook.