Subaru store's grand plan: Snap pics with pets

A Subaru dealership in Wisconsin celebrated the grand opening of its new location last week by taking free portraits of customers with their pets.

Bergstrom Subaru of Green Bay, one of Bergstrom Automotive's 51 locations, invited the public to bring their pets in for a session with a professional photographer. The offer ties in with Subaru's longstanding support of animal welfare charities and use of dogs in marketing campaigns.

The dealership gave out framed photos to those who came in and also posted the pictures on its Facebook page, which says customers are welcome to bring their dogs when they shop for a new vehicle.

"Subaru loves dogs," Tim Bergstrom, the group's COO, told the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "As they sell cars, they give dollars back to humane societies. ... Guests absolutely love it, it gives them an opportunity to really stand back and do something memorable with their dog."

As part of the grand opening, the dealership also was giving annual passes to Wisconsin state parks to anyone who came in to test drive a new Subaru.