– Can not let go of the nasty feeling – NRK Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
In a selection of Aktiv Eiendom’s housing ads, relocation dogs are used as models, and they say that the aim is to give the animals some much-needed attention.
The real estate company has entered into an agreement with the Association for relocated animals (Fod), and has entered into the animals in the middle of the housing styling. The company writes the following:
“Maybe you get room for one more, when one day you get more room to frolic?”
Dog trainer Maren Teien Rørvik, known from the series “Fra Bølle til Bestevenn” fears that this type of marketing could contribute to several impulse purchases of a hundred.
– My first thought is that I think this is a rather shocking form of marketing, she says.
Requires knowledge to own a dog
Nor is veterinarian Trude Mostue positive about this form of marketing. She fears the ads could lead to more impulsive purchases, and believes that acquiring a dog requires a lot of knowledge.
– To put it bluntly, “had you done the same with foster children?”, Mostue asks.
– I think it is reprehensible, she adds.
Rørvik also points out that the requirement for knowledge about dog keeping has been tightened into the new dog law that was passed a short time ago.
– This annonsen gives me a feeling that you can quickly take a cute dog on impulse, and that the dogs are almost thrown at people.
Must be visible
The association for relocation of animals is not the only one in what Rørvik and Mostue say. And requires that the buyer does not bring the dog with him on the purchase.
If you want to relocate a dog, you must continue through a thorough relocation process.
– I do not see that it can lead to any kind of impulse purchase. We also have quite extensive adoption processes, says Anna Lie in the Association for the relocation of animals.
They have four times as many hundreds on the waiting list now – compared to previous years, and are working together to reach out to people who do not know about the possibility of relocating.
– It may be that someone who intends to acquire a dog in their new home, sees that there are relocation dogs, and would rather choose to come to us, than to buy a puppy.
Nice pictures sell
Cute animals sell many would say. And home styling has become an important part of home ads.
– Are the model dogs used to sell the apartment?
– This has nothing to do with the sale of this apartment, but the attention to Fod and the good work they do. It is not the dog we market, but Fod who does a good job, says CEO of Aktiv Eiendom, Karsten Onsrud.
He says that they have many different collaborations, and this is just one of many collaborations.
– We support sports activities and sports clubs, among other things, so we came across Fod.
– We think they do a fantastic job for a growing problem, and so that she could contribute, he says.
I think the focus on relocation is good
Despite the marketing, the experts think it is good that the focus is on being able to adopt a dog, rather than buying a puppy.
– There are far too many who fall for the temptation to buy a puppy, says Mostue.
But says it is important to remember that the process of adopting a relocation dog is very serious, and not something to jump into.
– It should not be linked to commercial sales, she adds.
Røvik understands the need to market relocation dogs and encourages people to get a relocation dog rather than a puppy, mone and believes that Fod still has control over who buys relocation dogs from them and rejects users or ignorant buyers.
– I have not managed to let go of the small type of marketing that gives me, the feeling of her.
The housing ad exceeded all expectations
Karsten Onsrud in Aktiv Eiendom says that so far they have received many positive reactions. They plan to do this with a number of housing ads in the future. The ad with the model dog, Nils, was put down by several times as many people as a regular housing ad.
– We have thousands of buyers and sellers within us all the time, and many of them love animals. We hear that many appreciate that we take such an initiative to help homeless animals, says Onsrud.
NRK has been in contact with those who sold homes in the picture. They do not want to comment on the matter. NRK is not aware of who bought the apartment.