IKEA in Italy Lets in Stray Dogs to Shelter Them from Harsh Winter Cold
IKEA has built its reputation on affordable furniture, clever design, and the occasional viral surprise, but one store in Italy is getting attention for a much warmer reason. In Catania, the Swedish retailer has opened its doors to stray dogs, giving them a place to escape the harsh winter cold and rest indoors.
The move has struck a chord with shoppers and animal lovers alike, especially because it turns a routine store visit into something much more compassionate. Instead of just selling home goods, this IKEA location is showing what a welcoming home can look like in real life.
And once people saw the dogs curled up inside, the reaction was immediate.
In an interview with The Dodo, Martine Taccia said:
The dogs receive daily food and pampering from IKEA's employees and customers. Some dogs have even found families, going home with customers.
Local customers love what they are seeing and have been sharing posts on Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit. Now the whole world knows!
IKEA is not the only company to invite furry friends onto their premises. Barnes & Noble, pet-supply stores like PetSmart and PetCo, home-improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe's, Apple stores, and Pottery Barn all allow pets inside.
But no one has quite nailed the IKEA Italy model.
IKEA Italy posted to their Instagram:
The best way to live a new beginning at home is to offer a home to those who do not yet have it. Find out how to adopt a four-legged roommate.
This is similar to the shopper whose dog had to poop in IKEA, ruining the trip.
When you see how happy these dogs are to be warm and cozy inside the IKEA store, it's hard to imagine why everyone isn't doing this good deed!
To their benefit, these cozy, snuggly pups make the decor look more like home than an empty, furry-friend-free space could ever achieve!
It's not common for IKEAs in Italy to let dogs in. Naturally, there is an official campaign to encourage IKEAs in the United States to join in on this wonderful practice!
We're totally for it!
Next up, see the dog who “did his business” in IKEA after a potty break was skipped.
Share this article:
