The special tour
Rome is preparing to host the innovative “Dogs & Museum” project, a unique service in Italy that allows dog owners to visit museums and monuments without having to be separated from their four-legged friends. The national tour, organized by bauadvisor.it, will kick off right from the capital on January 12, 2025, with stops at the Ara Pacis Museum, MAXXI, National Etruscan Museum and Castel Sant’Angelo.
How it works
The project provides over 400 dog sitters throughout Italy, easily recognizable by their branded look. In Rome and the other cities involved (Milan, Naples, Turin, Venice, Verona, Mantua, Perugia, Florence, Ferrara, Parma, Rovereto, Piacenza, Genoa, and Bologna), dog sitters will be positioned in front of the entrances to cultural locations to take care of the dogs while their owners explore museums, exhibitions, or theaters. While waiting, dogs will be walked in nearby green areas and receive all the necessary attention, including hydration, feeding and cleaning.
A free service for 15 months
During the launch phase of the tour, which will last until April 5, 2026, the service will be completely free at all stops in Italian cities (in Rome we said it will stop on January 12) thanks to the support of partners such as Wahl and Haqihana. Visitors will be able to book online through the bauadvisor.it website or app.
If they want to book on another date, outside of the tour, the cost of the service is 10 euros/hour (reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance). To ensure the safety and well-being of the dog, the following are required: leash, microchip, up-to-date vaccination booklet, anti-parasite treatment, and tag with the owner’s name and contact information.
Project Goals.
The initiative not only promotes culture by making it accessible to dog owners, but also aims to educate about respect for urban decorum and responsible handling of animals in urban settings. It is an important step toward greater inclusiveness for animal lovers.
After Rome, the tour will touch other Italian cities, involving a total of 280 museums and archaeological areas.