Once again for the summer of 2026, “strada dei parchi” is renewing its commitment alongside LNDC Animal Protection to combat the abandonment of pets—a scourge that resurfaces every year with the start of the vacation season. It is a cruel, uncivilized, and dangerous act that turns those who have shared our lives for years into unwitting victims.
In fact, those who are left behind don’t understand what’s happening. They don’t know that the journey is over. They don’t realize they’ve been left behind. They simply keep waiting.
This is the central message of the 2026 campaign: to remind us that behind every case of abandonment there is a loyal friend who continues to trust us and wait for our return, unaware of the fate that has been imposed upon him.
Abandoning an animal is not only a serious form of animal abuse. It is also a crime under Article 727 of the Penal Code and poses a serious risk to road safety. A frightened and disoriented animal wandering along roads and highways can cause accidents—some of them very serious—endangering its own life and that of other road users.
Before heading off on vacation, there are always responsible alternatives. An increasing number of accommodations welcome pets, allowing you to share your trip with them. When this isn’t possible, it’s important to plan ahead by entrusting them to people you trust, qualified pet sitters, or specialized facilities that can ensure their well-being and daily care.
If you witness an animal being abandoned, take immediate action. Contact law enforcement and also report the incident to the LNDC Animal Protection Legal Help Desk at avvocato@lndcanimalprotection.org, providing as much information, photos, or videos as possible to help identify those responsible.
Until the very last meter, you can still turn back.
You are his whole life—don’t abandon him.
