The Kennel Goes to Town

A shelter that steps outside its gates to meet the city

«The Kennel Goes to Town» is a traveling event promoted by the Office of the Animal Rights Advocate of Rome Capital, in collaboration with numerous associations and volunteers, bringing dogs from the Muratella and Ponte Marconi municipal shelters to the parks and squares of Rome. The goal is simple and practical: to introduce these animals—often hidden from the city's view—to the public and foster conscious, responsible adoption.

How each event works

At every stop, dogs looking for a home walk on leashes led by volunteers, accompanied by their profiles and personal stories. This is not just a simple exhibition, but a direct way to meet the animals, understand their personalities, and consider adoption. A special focus is reserved for «heart adoptions», dedicated to senior or sick dogs who find it harder to find a new home and often spend the longest time in the shelter.

An initiative that travels across Rome

The traveling format is the event's hallmark: the stops move season by season between the city's major green spaces and iconic landmarks, from Parco Schuster to the Basilica of Saint Paul, from the EUR lake to Villa Borghese, and from Villa Carpegna to Parco Tevere Marconi. This allows the initiative to reach different neighborhoods and districts, bringing the topic of adoption to a constantly changing audience of families, children, and curious passersby.

Services and partnerships

During each stop, it is possible to have your own dogs microchipped for free, thanks to the collaboration with the local health authority (ASL) and animal welfare officers. The parades, often hosted by actor and singer Andrea Rivera and featuring guests from the entertainment and institutional worlds, involve volunteer organizations such as AGE Onlus, Animalinsieme, E.N.P.A., the National League for the Defense of Dogs, Animalisti Italiani, OIPA, and many others.

A concrete commitment from Rome Capital

Promoted by the Lazio Region as part of Rome Capital's animal welfare policies, «The Kennel Goes to Town» has already helped dozens of dogs leave the shelter and find a family. Each edition is both an open-air city festival and an invitation to responsibility: adopt, don't shop, and take care of those who need it most.