Italian museums are introducing a novel service aimed at enhancing visitor experience and drawing in more tourists—free dog-sitting. This initiative, a collaboration with Bauadvisor, a dog services company, is set to operate at 15 prominent cultural sites across Italy through April 2026.
Pet-Friendly Museums Across Italy
The service allows pet owners to visit renowned museums without worrying about their dogs. Trained caregivers are stationed outside participating venues, offering pet care while their owners explore art and history. The program includes iconic locations such as the Uffizi Galleries in Florence, the MAXXI Museum in Rome, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, and the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
While owners enjoy the exhibits, their dogs are walked, fed, and cared for, ensuring they receive the attention they need. Dino Gasperini, the director of Bauadvisor, explained the initiative’s dual purpose: it offers a practical solution for pet owners and reduces the stress dogs experience when left at home. “This service allows owners to immerse themselves in culture without separating from their pets,” Gasperini noted.
Rolling Out the Service
Launched on January 11, 2025, the program began at four locations in Rome, including the Museum of the Ara Pacis and Castel Sant’Angelo. Over the coming months, the service will expand, offering dog-sitting once a month in various Italian cities. Venice and Bologna will host the service in February and March, respectively.
Responding to the Rise of Pet Ownership
Italy’s pet ownership is growing rapidly, with a 2024 Eurispes report revealing that over a third of Italian households own pets, many of which are dogs. With this substantial pet-loving population, museums are eager to attract more visitors by providing services tailored to pet owners’ needs.
Similar pet-friendly programs are gaining traction globally. In France, PatchGuard provides daycare services for dogs at popular tourist destinations, while in the UK, the charity Guide Dogs launched a program called “Dogwarts” in partnership with Warner Bros. Studios Tour London, offering training for guide dogs named after Harry Potter characters. In the United States, Mars Petcare and TripAdvisor are working together to promote dog-friendly travel experiences, acknowledging that one-third of pet owners adjust their travel plans based on pet-related concerns.
A Model for Inclusive Tourism
The free dog-sitting service reflects a growing global trend toward accommodating the needs of pet owners in tourism. Museums in Italy, by offering this innovative service, are providing a balance between cultural exploration and pet care, making it easier for visitors to experience Italy’s rich history while keeping their pets safe and comfortable.
As the service expands across Italy, it serves as a model for other cultural institutions looking to create inclusive, accessible experiences for all visitors, including those who travel with their furry companions.
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