The IKEA store in Catania, Italy does a lot more than sell furniture. They also help animals in need. They offer a warm home to stray dogs when the weather is rotten.
And their customers love them for it.
Martine Taccia did a double take when she was shopping in the store one day on a cool autumn day when she saw a dog getting cozy in one of the store’s living room display.
“My reaction was pure amazement,” Taccia told The Dodo. “It’s not a common thing.”
Taccia soon learned that the dogs were strays and that the store opened their doors to the dogs so that they could be safe during harsh weather. The store also feeds and spends time with the strays.
“The dogs receive daily food and pampering from IKEA’s employees and customers,” Taccia said. “Some dogs have even found a family, going home with customers.”
Taccia even captured a video of the pups getting cozy at the IKEA store.
The Catania IKEA doesn’t publically advertise their open door policy for dogs. But their customers are appreciative of their stance when it comes to safeguarding animals.
Customer Beppe Liotta also got the warm and fuzzies when he walked into the IKEA store.
“I felt a feeling of deep tenderness and great happiness in seeing dogs crouched in the exhibition space at the entrance of the IKEA,” Liotta told The Dodo.
Instagram is filled with adoring customers like Taccia and Liotta who are praising the store for their efforts.
“A good initiative to shelter the strays while it’s raining outside. All this happens in the shopping center of IKEA (Catania) amid the amazement of many passersby,” Taccia wrote on Instagram.
IKEA is actually known for their love of animals. They’ve partnered with Home For Hope in a campaign that promotes pet adoption by placing cardboard cutouts of shelter dogs in its stores.
“I love the Swedes for this: with Ikea even the strays have a home,” Instagrammer valeria_antipatico wrote.
“Just beautiful … Good people’s hearts … I’m moved … Thank you for such people,” said a commenter.
But this IKEA store has got the real thing. Liotta says he hopes that other stores will do the same for local stray dogs in need.
“If all the stores that had the space would make a place of refuge for strays, I would be really happy,” he said.
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