Mexico’s largest pet store chain, +Kota, wants people to adopt rescue dogs. In fact, customers won’t find pure bred dogs for sale in +Kota stores. They work with animal shelters throughout Mexico to help make the adoption process easier for both the dogs and the potential pet parents. Unfortunately, spreading the word about the rescue dog program proved difficult with their limited budget.

But then they came up with a brilliant idea.

Leashes were fashioned to extend from the dogs’ harnesses to look as though a person was holding it and walking their dog. The dogs were then allowed to walk around several parks with their “invisible owners.” The sight of these gorgeous, well-mannered dogs being “walked” by no one caught the attention of many passersby.

Residents stopped to pet the dogs, cuddle with them. And for those interested in adopting one, all they had to do was tear off one of the Adopt Me sheets the dogs were wearing. Each sheet had +Kota adoption information printed on it.

The idea was to get people to fill the role of dog walker and potential dog parent, to reduce the homeless pet problem and to show residents of Mexico that rescue dogs were just as loveable and worthy of a home as any other dog. It worked. During the two months following the campaign, 221 homeless dogs gained forever homes.

What do you think of +Kota’s Invisible Owner campaign? Would it work in other countries? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.