Toronto Dogs Adopt Emotional Support Ticks at Tick Adoption Centre

Tick Adoption Centre

Over the weekend, Elanco Canada, makers of K9 Advantix® II, invited community members to its Tick Adoption Centre, a pop-up experience in Toronto at 663 Queen Street West to connect pups with locally sourced emotional support ticks.

Sound funny? The whole concept is and the press release plays on this too.

The press release explains how just like dogs, ticks have an appreciation for the outdoors, an appetite for affection, and a strong attachment style. “What’s not to love?” it asked. The announcement went on to explain that Elanco hopes that, through this event, ticks and dogs can forge connections which can blossom into long, fulfilling friendships.

And by this point, you’re wondering where this is going. When did ticks and dogs become mutually beneficial to each other?

Insert the punchline.

The Tick Adoption Centre was actually designed to educate and engage the dog community about tick prevention because “we all know that once Ticks meet our dogs, it’s a tough bond to break,” Elanco said.

Genius, isn’t it?

As part of the experience, guests got to leave with information on urban tick findings, ways to care for furry friends, and samples of K9 Advantix® II: all tools to help avoid adopting the wrong kind of critters.

The campaign included this experiential retail activation in Toronto, social media (Instagram, Facebook), microsite (TickAdoption.ca), OOH (15 locations), Digital, PR and Influencer relations as well as collateral for pet retailers, guerilla posting in online classified sites.

McCann led the creative as well as the pop-up concept in collaboration with Nordest Studio, with support from Golin on PR and influencer relations.

See here for more information on the campaign.