Ikea Store In Italy Opens Its Doors To Homeless Dogs To Protect Them From The Cold

An Ikea store in Italy has drawn praise for opening its doors to stray dogs to keep them warm and dry during the winter months. The shop's staff in Catania, Italy, have even pampered and fed the dogs, with some of the lucky canines going on to be adopted by staff.

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Kickstarting the generosity for the season of giving, there is an Ikea store located in Catania, Italy, giving shelter to stray dogs during the cold winter season. Customers just couldn't resist applauding the store's hospitality, and their effort went viral quickly. This event have brought good Christmas cheer to store customers, who were amazed by what they were witnessing while shopping their way through sets of furniture with dogs getting cozy among them.

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The store totally went far beyond customer expectations: "The dogs receive daily food and pampering from IKEA's employees and customers. Some dogs have even found a family, going home with customers." This isn't the first time IKEA showed their support to dogs, as they also partnered up once with Home For Hope's campaign, encouraging pet adoption by displaying cardboard cutouts of shelter dogs in their stores.

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The video of the adorable dogs is now approaching one million views on Facebook alone. Other people have taken to the internet to share their praise for Ikea, who are no strangers to animal welfare. In 2014, the retailer partnered up with animal welfare groups in a project called 'Home For Hope'.

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As part of the initiative, standing displays of dogs were placed among the store's furniture to attract potential adopters.Ikea outlets that took part in the campaign included those in the United States and Singapore, most Ikea stores in the UK have a strict no dogs policy unless it is an assistance dog.

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Ms Beppe Liotta, a customer in the store, told The Dodo of the make-shift dog hostel: 'I felt great happiness at seeing dogs crouched in the exhibition space at the entrance of the Ikea.' Another user commented: 'What an absolutely fantastic thing to do! Showing such compassion to these poor creatures is a fine example to us all.'

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This feels like a warm hug for all equally-concerned dog lovers around the world, a reassurance that many people and businesses are taking steps to give love to stray dogs across the world.

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Take a look at the following photos of stray dogs having a taste of home as an early gift for Christmas. Don't forget to spread the spirit of generosity by sharing this post with your friends.