Subaru Encourages Dog Lovers Everywhere To Enjoy The Great Outdoors With Their Dogs As Part Of REI #OptOutside Movement

Automaker to make charitable donation to the ASPCA for every photo shared through the Thanksgiving season

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Nov 16, 2016, 04:56 ET

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Nov. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Subaru of America announced that, through its partnership with REI, it is bringing together two passions of Subaru drivers, the outdoors and pets, to invite dog lovers everywhere to #OptOutside with their four-legged friends on Black Friday. Subaru is encouraging millions across the country to #OptOutside with their pets and share their outdoor adventures on social media leading up to and on Black Friday itself.

Subaru and the ASPCA prep shelter pets for a day in the great outdoors

Local NY-based shelter dogs are ready to #OptOutside thanks to Subaru and the ASPCA

A fleet of Subaru Outback vehicles take shelter dogs on the road to the great outdoors

Subaru and the ASPCA help shelter dogs #OptOutside

Subaru and the ASPCA helped shelter dogs #OptOutside and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7673253-subaru-rei-optoutside-dogs-black-Friday

From November 16, 2016 to November 27, 2016, for every photo of pet lovers enjoying the outdoors with their pet posted publicly on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and tagged with #OptOutside and #MakeADogsDay, Subaru will make a $1 donation to longtime "Subaru Loves Pets" partner the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), up to $50,000. To learn more, visit: subaru.com/why-subaru/articles/-optoutside-withyourdog.html. Furthermore, Subaru will host two events in New York that will enable both shelter dogs and city dogs to #OptOutside into the great outdoors leading into and on Black Friday.

"REI made a bold decision last year in encouraging its customers to #OptOutside on Black Friday – and it was a message that truly resonated with our brand and our drivers who share a passion for the outdoors," said Alan Bethke, senior vice president of marketing, Subaru of America, Inc. "We felt compelled to join the conversation and through our partnership with REI and the #OptOutside movement, we will encourage drivers to show their pets the love that they show us each and every day by enjoying the great outdoors with them on Black Friday."

Introduced in 2015, REI's #OptOutside initiative was created to mobilize Americans to set a new tradition of choosing trails over hectic sales on Black Friday. This year, REI will once again shut its doors on Black Friday and work alongside more than 475 national and local organizations and like-minded brands to ask America, "Will You Go Out with Us?" To learn more about REI's intention behind this year's #OptOutside initiative, please visit REI's Co-op Journal.

Subaru will participate in 2016 by hosting two targeted pet-centric events and a social campaign. On Black Friday, Subaru will provide a fleet of Subaru Outback vehicles, with drivers, to take dog owners in New York City and their four-legged friends to the great outdoors for a day. Earlier this week, Subaru also partnered with ASPCA for a special event where its local New York shelter dogs and ASPCA volunteers were given a fleet of Subaru Outback vehicles for their own #OptOutside experience. Subaru retailers will remain open on Black Friday to help power all drivers' outdoor adventures.

For more information about Subaru's commitment to animal welfare, visit subaru.com/pets/. To find out where to #OptOutside and how to join the movement, visit rei.com/opt-outside.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of more than 620 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants, and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com.

About REI
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation's largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of more than 6 million active members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 149 stores in 36 states. If you can't visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI.com/REI-Garage or the free REI shopping app. REI isn't just about gear. You can take the trip of a lifetime with REI Adventures, a global leader in active adventure travel that runs 170 custom-designed itineraries on every continent. REI's Outdoor School is run by professionally-trained, expert-instructors who teach beginner- to advanced-level courses about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to–and steward–the outdoor places that inspire us.

Diane Anton
Subaru of America, Inc.
856-488-5093
[email protected]

Michael McHale
Subaru of America, Inc.
856-488-3326
[email protected]

SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.