This Store Lets Stray Dogs Inside To Warm Up And Relax

Populations of stray dogs are an unfortunate and concerning problem in many countries, including Italy. That may explain why the employees at an IKEA in Catania, Italy, came up with a practical (and adorable) way to help the homeless dogs hanging around the parking lot of the store during the cold winter months: They allowed them to come inside!

Shoppers at the store have been pleasantly surprised to see dogs lounging around inside, bringing a homey touch to the home furnishing retailer. Naturally, the dogs have gravitated towards the soft and comfortable IKEA rugs, giving shoppers plenty of photo-ops of cute dogs napping on some of the store’s displays. Take a look at these two on side by side rugs:

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Other dogs, like this one, have made themselves at home near the cashiers:

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The store’s employees have also been taking care of the dogs by grooming and feeding them. (With a cafeteria inside the store, we have to assume the dogs ate their fill of Swedish meatballs.) Some have also reportedly found their fur-ever homes with IKEA customers.

“Straying is a widespread problem in Sicily and IKEA has always been sensitive to animal issues and welfare,” a spokesperson for IKEA Italy told ABC News. “Specifically, this problem has been affecting our store in Catania for quite some time now, as there are many stray dogs who are normally hanging around the car park outside the store.”

Although IKEA in the U.S. does not allow non-service dogs inside the stores, the company has demonstrated a soft spot for animals. In 2014, IKEA participated in a “Home for Hope” campaign, an initiative to help find homes for rescue dogs by placing life-size cut-outs of dogs available for adoption in American stores.

Still, you can’t beat the real thing when it comes to dogs.