COLOGNE, Germany — There has been a recent spike in reported incidents involving dogs being locked in cars on warm summer days. Some of these stories have happy endings and many of them do not. IKEA has a solution to stop owners from leaving their dogs in their cars while they shop the winding aisles and displays of their warehouses. It’s doggy parking spots!
The furniture giant has designed these dog parking bays that come complete with artificial grass, water bowl and a secure post to leash them to. You can find the bays outside the store in a shaded area.
IKEA is known for creating spaces in their stores to accommodate all kinds of shoppers. They have a children’s play area for those high energy kids, the cafeteria for those who get hungry while shopping and one IKEA even has a man cave complete with a flatscreen television and video games.
The idea behind dog parking is to encourage people to stop leaving their dogs in their cars to avoid the chance of heat stroke. Although it is best to leave your dog at home on these days, this special area is for those who must have their dogs with them.
Unfortunately, this IKEA feature is only available at their store in Cologne, Germany. With support, however, they hope to see it spread to other stores across Europe and North America.
This isn’t the first time IKEA has gone to the dogs. In 2014, IKEA partnered with Home For Hope to bring awareness for dogs up for adoption. The project placed cardboard cut-outs of the dogs in IKEA’s displays, along with their information.
Via Daily Mail UK | MTL Blog | Mashable | Flickr | Huffington Post
First I don’t take my dog when I’m going shopping unless it’s a pet friendly store.
Second, I would never tie my dog to a post where someone could steal him.
how about employing someone to watch over the dogs while the owners shop–call them a “barking attendant”
Wonderful idea! I hope other retailers will follow suit! Bring it on!