Cats, dogs and other animals here on Italy's northwest coast now have new beach to frolic away from the summer heat.
Genoa's beach for animals opened Friday near in the suburb of Vesima, just past the Jauna municipal beaches. It is the first public beach in the region for pets.
There are other beaches for pets in Liguria but they are all private.
The Vesima beach is equipped with water fountains and hoses as well as a distributor of shovels and plastic bags for those needing to to clean up after their pets.
"The Vesima beach is dedicated to domestic animals. It is an experiment aimed at meeting the needs of the many people who every summer do not know where to bring their pets," explained the municipal councillor for animals Maria Rosa Zerega.
"We have calculated that one out of four families in Genoa have at least dog or a cat. So Vesima beach plays a social function and is also an alternative to abandoning animals," she added, referring to Italians who abandon their pets when going on holiday.
In order to make the experiment work, Zerega observed, "it is essential that a positive relationships develop between bathers and the animals. If this is successful, we will open up more beaches where pets will be permitted".
Italy's first beach for dogs, Rome's Bau Bau (bow wow), marked its 10th summer this year and for the occasion was revamped and turned into a nature park for dogs and dog lovers.
Re-named Bau Country Nature Park, it is designed to be an oasis where dogs can run free and their masters can relax.
The park is located at the Podere Capanne tourist farm in the coastal Maccarese district some 30 kilometers north of Rome.
Dog owners in the park can either relax at the fully-equipped beach or walk or bike ride in the park.
A restaurant servea organic products produced by the farm.
Dogs have their own pools to cool off in and ample room to socialise and play.
Organic snacks will a available for the dogs and umbrellas will provide shade for them to rest in.
Professional trainers are also available as well as experts in dog psychology.
The whole structure has been authorised by the local health authority which provides on location veterinary services.
