Florida realtor’s unique offer has buyers flocking to new plots: 'Free dog with every home sold'

Real estate deals don't usually come with wagging tails, but one realtor in St. Petersburg, Florida, is changing that. A commendable initiative by DJ Soucy recently made headlines, and the internet can't keep calm over the unexpected yet heartwarming pairing of home sales and dog adoptions. As reported by ABC Action News, since 2020, the realtor has tied up with Pet Pal Animal Shelter to launch his 'Free dog with every home sold' campaign that seamlessly connects his work with his love for animals.

Soucy shares how the idea came to him on a random day: "I was on the other side of the bridge over in the Tampa area, and my husband sent me a picture of our dog slumped over the couch looking out the window, wondering when I was coming home." He further shared that the incident got him thinking about other abandoned pets looking for a home as well, "And it just got me thinking, I spend all this time trying to help people find the perfect home. Wouldn't it be cool if I could help animals, dogs, in particular, find a way home."

Soucy also shared how he "used to help and volunteer with Animal Rescue League of Boston" when he resided there, but the demanding hours of his work kept him super busy. "So what's another way to give back?" and that's when Soucy decided to go ahead with his idea and turned it into a massive success. Scott Daly, the Executive Director of Pet Pal, mentioned how this initiative has helped countless shelter animals find a loving home and family. 

The DJ Soucy group website explains the process of adoption. It states that when an individual completes a house purchase or sale with the company, a member of the team then reaches out to discuss adopting a pet from the said animal shelter. People can check out the different pets up for adoption on the website itself. The website further states that the process isn't rushed and offers the clients six months to decide on the adoption. While the final say depends on the shelter, if successful, the DJ Soucy Group takes care of any adoption fees.

For the ones who do not wish to adopt a pet during that duration, Soucy donates $200 in their name to the animal shelter. The program has resulted in donations exceeding $50,000 and innumerable adoptions since launch. "Either way, the animals win," commented Soucy. According to a statistical report by the Shelter Animals Count, dog adoption rates have risen from 56% in 2023 to 57% in 2024, showing a slight but positive increase in the percentage of dogs adopted relative to those taken into shelters. Notably, cat adoption rates have stayed strong, reaching 64% in 2024, up from 62% in 2023 and significantly higher than 57% in 2019. Soucy further shares that he wishes to expand his program and that he has received a positive response since the start. "I've yet to have anybody who wasn't interested in it, who didn't think it was fantastic and a great cause," said Soucy.