A series of touching photographs of staff at this IKEA store in Catania, Italy, protecting stray dogs from the cold, are warming the hearts of animal lovers all over the world. IKEA has gone above and beyond merely selling furnishing to fill a house; they’ve begun providing a home to pups who need it most.
Image Credit: The Dodo
One day, Martine Taccia was on her way for a shopping trip when she noticed some dogs nestled cozily among a living room display. It turns out the dogs were local stray dogs. The store opened its doors to allow the dogs inside and stay warm. They gave them refuge, and the welcome came with more than just a safe place to stay.
Image Credit: The Dodo
The dogs took up the invitation and made themselves comfortable, no doubt grateful for a place to warm up and sleep. They receive daily food and pampering from IKEA’s employees and customers.
Image Credit: The Dodo
The IKEA store did not advertise this, but many customers have been very happy to discover these dogs while shopping. Some dogs have even been lucky enough to be adopted by customers. Touched by the store’s gesture of kindness, Taccia captured a video of the heartwarming scene.
This isn’t the first time IKEA has advocated for animals; they once partnered with Home For Hope in a campaign to encourage pet adoption by placing cardboard cutouts of shelter dogs in its stores.
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This is not the first place or time that stray animals are helped. Last year, an imam opened a mosque to allow stray cats inside to have shelter from the cold. Also, a cafe on the Greek island of Lesbos opened its doors to the street dogs at night.
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“If all the stores that had space would make a place of refuge for stray animals, I would be really happy,” Liotta, a customer of IKEA said. And Liotta’s certainly not alone.
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(h/t: The Dodo)