Summer campaign calls on Romans not to dump their pets.

The city of Rome has launched a campaign urging residents of the capital not to abandon their pets as they head off on summer holidays.

As part of the campaign the city has issued posters featuring Roman actor Christian De Sica, alongside a dog, with the slogan: Vacanze Romane: Roma ama gli animali, non li abbandona (Roman holiday: Rome loves animals, don't abandon them).

The city says its website will soon feature a section dedicated to useful information for pet-owners such as hotels which accept pets, veterinary clinics open 24 hours, and advice about how to take care of animals during the summer heat.

Rome's dog shelters at Muratella and Ponte Marconi have taken in more than 720 unwanted dogs over the last six months, according to the city's environment councillor Pinuccia Montanari.