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Adopt Meleagro: the (C)Ave Canem Project

an opportunity for stray dogs,
an act of civic value and love

(C)Ave Canem Project
an opportunity for stray dogs,
an act of civic value and love

The (C)Ave Canem Project, aimed to solve the problem of stray dogs in the ruins of Pompeii once and for all, has started in these days thanks to Marcello Fiori, the Commissario delegato for the emergency of Naples and Pompeii archaeological areas.
The project combines dog protection with a general safety and it is promoting the adoption of dogs, in cooperation with the National Organizations for animal rights like Lav – Lega Anti Vivisezione, Enpa – Ente Nazionale Protezione Animali and Lega Nazionale per la Difesa del Cane. The plan of actions is supported by the Ministry of Work, Wealth and Social Politics.

In the last days the first phase of the project started and consisted in the census of the dogs living in the archaeological site of Pompeii. The dogs will be provided with a collar, a dog tag and a microchip. Every animal will be treated, sterilized and will find a refugee and food in organized pits, clearly indicated in the archaeological site. In this way every dog will be ready for a family care.

Apart from Meleagro, Odone, Plautus, Vesonius, Polibia, Menade, Licinio, Eumachia, Caio, some of the names jokingly chosen according to their favourite places or the historical owner of the house where they are living.

The project has been introduced in the House of the Tragic Poet, whose entrance is characterized by the Cave Canem (Beware of the dog) mosaic, also found in several houses of Pompeii. A warning found even in literary sources like the Satyricon by Petronio, whose main character was frightened by a big painted dog.

Apart from the Soprintendente, Mariarosaria Salvatore, have participated Francesco Giro, Sottosegretario ai Beni e alle Attività Culturali, Gianluca Felicetti, LAV President, Carla Rocchi, Enpa President, Laura Porcasi Rossi, Lega Nazionale difesa del Cane President.