Rome promotes adoption of dogs from kennels with red-carpet event.

Rome's city-run kennels will stage a dog parade on Sunday 6 April as part of efforts to give shelter dogs a day out and increase their chances of finding a forever home.

The event, now in its fourth edition, will be held at in Largo 3 giugno 1849, at Villa Pamphilj park, at 10.30.

Titled Il canile va in città (The kennel goes to town), the event also offers dog owners the opportunity to have their dogs microchipped and registered for free.

At the city's last dog parade, held in February, hundreds of people turned up to show their support, with several dogs finding new homes.

Rome's guarantor for animals, Patrizia Prestipino, who is responsible for raising awareness for animal protection, hailed the ongoing idddnitiative as "a great success" but added that "too many dogs are still locked up in kennels".

Prestipino said it was important and necessary to give the dogs "a few hours of freedom", but above all else "to seek a home and a family for them, promoting the adoption of these wonderful creatures, capable of giving immense affection and dedication."

She also said that during the event on 6 April, the actor Andrea Rivera will present "an adoption of the heart, that is, an elderly or sick dog for whom we are committed to finding a family."

• How to adopt a dog in Rome

Stressing that the goal is to promote "responsible adoptions" of dogs housed in city shelters, Prestipino said: "It is never too early or too late to open your heart to the wonderful experience of adopting an animal".

For more details see city website. Photos Roma Capitale