An IKEA store in Italy is welcoming stray dogs inside to keep them warm during the chilly winter months.
Staff at the furniture shop must have felt the same sadness most of us do when seeing a stray dog curled up on the streets in the freezing cold, but instead of regrettably passing by, they’ve opened their doors to the good girls and boys.
The dogs have been pampered and fed by the staff and they’re able to make themselves at home among the made-up rooms, where customers at the store in Catania, Sicily, can appreciate how adorable they look.
As if trips to IKEA weren’t fun enough before adding dogs to the equation! I imagine people will be flocking through the doors. It’s a great way to increase business.
A video of a couple of cosy-looking dogs was shared on Facebook, where they looked much more content than if they were on the streets:
The caption read (translated):
A good initiative to shelter the strays while it’s raining outside ….. all this happens in the shopping centre of IKEA (Catania) …… amid the amazement of many passersby, my daughter sent me this video.
It must be brilliant for the strays to have their own experience of living in a comfy home. I wonder if they get to eat the leftover meatballs at the end of the day? They’d be living a life of luxury of they do.
Speaking to The Dodo, shopper Martine Taccia recalled the moment she first spotted the lovely dogs, saying:
My reaction was pure amazement. It’s not a common thing.
Some IKEA customers have even fallen in love with the fluffy additions to the shop displays and have decided to change their status from strays by taking them home as their very own pet.
Martine said:
The dogs receive daily food and pampering from IKEA’s employees and customers. Some dogs have even found a family, going home with customers.
I can imagine a few partners were surprised when their other half returned from buying shelves instead with a brand new dog.
At least you don’t have to assemble them using confusing flatpack instructions – they’re ready made!
What an incredible gesture!
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.