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Stray dogs in Catania, Italy now have a leisurely, safe, and comfortable place to hang out: their local Ikea. Recently, photos of the dogs lounging and sleeping on the store’s furniture displays have appeared on social media, capturing the hearts of both local customers and animal lovers worldwide.
One customer, Martine Taccia, noticed some of the dogs relaxing around one of Ikea’s living room displays as she shopped on a cold Fall afternoon.
Taccia’s reaction, like many others, was one of approval. In an interview with The Dodo, she said of the dogs: “My reaction was pure amazement. It’s not a common thing.” She took a video of the heartwarming scene and posted it to her Instagram account.
Taccia learned that Ikea had welcomed the stray dogs inside to shield them from the cold. At the store, they receive daily food and water, along with loads of affection from employees and customers alike. The best news? Some adoring customers have even provided forever homes to dogs they met in the store.
Ikea’s Catania store does not advertise that they shelter stray dogs, but word of their generosity has spread far and wide. Shortly after customers began noticing the dogs, photos and video footage of the pups began popping up on social media. The canine sanctuary has since gone viral – Taccia’s video alone has received more than 1.1 million views.
The general consensus surrounding Ikea’s stray-friendly environment can best be described as “two thumbs up.” On one of the many photos of the dogs circulating throughout the internet, one person even commented: “I am now forever loyal to Ikea.”
In the past, Ikea has advocated for animal rights and rescue. In 2014, as part of a partnership with Home for Hope, the store placed life-sized cardboard cutouts of dogs that were available for adoption throughout their stores.
Ike more stores should follow your example what a heart warming thing too do for these dogs who would other wise be left out in the cold!!!!’ As a animal lover and owner this restores my faith in humanity !!!! Truly beautiful the real meaning of holiday spirit!!!! Joy and love!!!!
Thank you Ikea for caring and having a big heart, God sees what you do and I believe you will be rewarded for your kindness. thank you so much.
Thank you Ikea for having a kind and big heart and caring… God sees what you are doing to help and we all thank you so much.
What wonderful people you all are , I’ve never shopped at ikea but will be doing from now on
A big Thankyou from an animal lover
A very big thank you!
What a wonderful gesture, this is AMAZING! I wish more stores would consider it. I’ve shopped at Ikea and would visit more if they did this in Canada.
I do hope they are treated for fleas.
IKEA will be go to store – Thank you IKEA
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Starting today I’m looking at IKEA with different eyes – Bravo Catania! May all IKEA stores follow suit and the example spread out into the world and to other big name brands too.. Absolutely heart-warrming amid the gust of stories that reach us daily and are, to the greatest extent, sad, negative, and shameful. Kudos to this IKEA store!
What a wonderful example of truly CIVILISED behaviour. Perhaps other stores will follow suit. The company deserves all the best.Thank you Ikea!!
Ikea is setting a wonderful example of practical care and compassion . We, in turn need to support them by buying from their stores. Also write to their Management to praise their wonderful policies. Truly heartwarming.
I am a huge animal lover and supporter of many animal-related charitable organizations. While I agree the concept of providing somewhere warm for stray dogs to sleep is a wonderful idea, unfortunately, many strays suffer from fleas and or ticks. I would not like to pick up fleas from trying furniture at a store. Maybe they can designate a specific area for the pooches so it is contained. Please don’t hate me for this but all it will take is one customer bringing fleas home and that will end this program.
I’m going to assume that they vet and bathe the dogs first.
Wow to think someone would find fault in such a marvelous concept. I think this is the only negative comment operated thus far.
DONNA S . Yours is a very realistic comment, I think the problem you anticipate, must have been taken in hand , in the background. This policy seems to have been well thought out , and carefully managed. I wish them every success, and I am sure you do too. May these stores flourish.
Thank you for not thinking I am a horrible person. I love dogs, all animals actually. I have had the misfortune of fleas being brought into my home “accidentally” twice and it is a horrible, expensive and exhausting process to disinfect.
Donna I also thought the same , but as Kathleen said (above) they would have been treated for little visitors by the store (hopefully ) and i don’t see your comment as negative just practical, i also have rescued many animals over the years, i have 2 dogs at the moment.
Excellent ,wonderful to know there is good out there for animals
What a wonderful example of truly CIVILISED behaviour. Perhaps other stores will follow suit.
Thank You !
This wonderful story restored my faith in humanity. It is wonderful for a company to reach out to needy animals. I shall remember this action when I shop. Thank you Ikea
Agreed!!! Same here.
Wow, I’ve never set foot in an Ikea store, but that may have to change now! I love that their display of compassion has prompted some customers to adopt these otherwise discarded members of society.
This is a very nice idea, and they should do it in their other stores too. They might want to bathe the dogs seeing as they let them lie on the furniture. It’s so nice that it is helping these dogs get adopted.
Semper Fi IKEA It helps to know your company stands with stray dogs. Thank you for STANDING TALL
I think that IKEA has done a wonderful thing… not only for the store but for the animals that need the kindness they are giving.
BRAVO IKEA BRAVO
I too will look towards IKEA in a different way… and shop their stores because of what they are doing.
Now, I hope the rest of the IKEA stores follows their lead and does the same thing.
THANK YOU IKEA FOR YOUR HUGE HEART. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST HEARTWARMING STORIES I HAVE EVER READ. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
I think this is a amazing act of kindness towards these poor stray dogs lets hope it continues.also other shops follow Ikea lead
Good for Ikea. What an advert. The company deserves all the best.
BRAVO ! ! !
Well done, IKEA. This is a great thing you are doing to help these poor dogs. I congratulate you. THANK YOU
wonderful!!! Dr ALLA J SMITH (XXVI-XI-MKMKXVIII)
This proves that not all companies are heartless. I applaud IKEA for their efforts to help these dogs and their successes!
This proves that not all companies are heartless!! I applaud IKEA for their efforts and their successes!!!
Well done IKEA employees in Catania. More shops/ employees could learn from your compassion.
Come on IKEA UK!
Merci IKEA.. Cela va me donner davantage envie de venir acheter dans vos magasins.
Thank you, Ikea. When I need furniture, I will shop Ikea.
THANK YOU GUY’S AT IKEA FOR HAVEING GREAT HEART’S OF GOLD FOR LETTING ALL THEE DOGGIES SLEEPING ON YOUR FURNITURE, GOD BLESS YOU GUYS .
WOW………………………….I’m still smiling. It was so sweet of them to have compassion and a heart for these poor babies. I hope this catches on around the world. KUDOS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED AND BEST WISHES FOR ALL THESE BABIES TO FIND NEW HOMES BECAUSE OF YOUR HUGE HEARTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!IKEA YOU ARE A NUMBER ONE STORE TO ME AND MANY MANY OTHERS AND THIS REALLY HELPS KEEP YOU THAT WAY!!!
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED!!!!!!
What a brilliant idea not to mention so kind & caring from Ikea!