Uber to deliver kittens on demand in Twin Cities
You know the Batmobile? Well, the catmobile is heading your way today.
It's National Cat Day and the car service Uber is marking the occasion by delivering kittens to customers, for a $30 fee, today only. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Uber drivers will be squiring cats around Minneapolis-St. Paul and cities around the country, from Spokane, Wash., to Atlanta. (Fargo, N.D., too!)
Uber "riders" will get a 15 minute "snuggle" with the cats and the proceeds will go to support Animal Ark, the shelter providing the kittens. Uber spokesperson Jaime Moore says the cats are also eligible for adoption and will be accompanied by an Animal Ark representative.
Uber says workplace visits are best, although offices should have an enclosed area to herd the cats, as well as management approval. The company asks customers to be sensitive to co-workers with allergies, as well.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
If you're looking for a feline fix, Uber says you should open the Uber app on your phone between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and request the "KITTENS" option in the app. Availability is limited, and demand is expected to be high, so Uber is asking customers to be patient. Frustrated users have widely reported "No Kittens Available" app notifications in previous iterations of the promotion.
The company launched its #UberKITTENS promotion in San Francisco, New York and Seattle in 2013 and Uber said demand was 217 times the supply. Last year, it expanded the kitten program to Austin, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Phoenix.
In a promotion for the Animal Planet's "Puppy Bowl" promotion in January, Uber drivers brought puppies around to customers in 10 cities.
The kitten option today will be offered in more than 50 cities nationwide.