World Animal Day is celebrated every year on October 4 globally. It was in 1925 that the first World Animal Day was conducted by Heinrich Zimmermann to address the plight of animals and work towards the protection of animals, wild or domestic.
Zimmermann was a German writer and publisher who wrote ‘Mensch and Hund (Man and Dog). He chose October 4 to be World Animal Day because it is the day of Saint Francis of Assisi, considered the patron saint of animals. Zimmerman organized the first World Animal Day in 1925 at the Sports Palace, Berlin, and the headcount was capped at 5000.
It was only in 1931 that World Animal Day was globalized during a world protection organization conference in Florence, Italy. In 2002, the Finnish Association of Animal Protection Associations (SEY), celebrated World Animal Day and conducted events, and involved school children as well.
In 2003, a website was created by the Naturewatch Foundation, which addressed the issue of the security and protection of all domestic and wild animals. In 2007, this foundation inaugurated the ambassadors’ program and moved ahead with their protest for animal rights with the help of global ambassadors. This organization now works with 76 countries.
Significance
Through decades, humans have neglected animal welfare and species security for many reasons. For instance, destroying their natural habitat for the construction of buildings, schools, offices, or for the purpose of agriculture.
Testing new chemicals on animals to see if it is safe for human use or not or keeping them in cages for days of experiments, humans have never kept animals on priority.
There are numerous animals who have lost their natural habitat and are left stranded out of nowhere. One such example is of the animal species of Orangutan. These red-haired animals are losing their habitat due to oil farming.
In a similar vein, Chimpanzees have been subjected to trade in order to keep them for various experiments where they are not given food and water for months at stretch.
Though steps have been taken to bring this indiscrimination a halt, there is still a lot to be done to aware the masses of the lives of these creatures. World Animal Day is significant because of this, bring out this issue forward and make the world aware of the littlest acts that can bring about a change.
Why & how is World Animal Day Celebrated
Since the beginning, social developments (mass activities) like World Animal Day, have consistently been a significant vehicle to voice out various issues, and are a key in battling for civil rights and changes.
The existence of animals is significantly influenced by the activities of people, organizations, and countries. World Animal Day accepts all animals and the issues of each, in every nation, and gives them a voice.
By educating the masses and making them aware, we can bring out a caring society to make this world a more pleasant spot for every living animal. An existence where creatures are respected.
World Animal Day has effectively achieved success in bringing about a change in society, and its impact will just keep on growing in the coming future.
There have been various organizations that work tirelessly towards the safety and security of animals and here is a list of such organizations:
- Amina Abaza, who heads the Society for the Protection of Animal Rights in Egypt (SPARE), has utilized World Animal Day to effectively campaign for the expansion of a statement about creature government assistance in the new Egyptian Constitution and, all the more as of late, presented a Model Animal Welfare Act to the Egyptian Parliament.
- Another earth-shattering occasion accomplished by SPARE was held at Cairo University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine where creatures are utilized in instruction. They visited the teachers, understudies, the Dean and Vice Dean of the Faculty, and different dignitaries, talks were made with the President of the Egyptian Veterinary Association and a few NGOs to build alternative options in contrast to the utilization of creatures in training and a film was displayed about sufferings of animals all across the globe.
- The Sudanese Animal Care and Environmental Organization’s most prominent accomplishment is the presentation of creature assurance enactment by the Sudanese parliament. A large part of the work to accomplish this objective is credited to expanded attention to animal issues addressed by World Animal Day.
- In numerous nations, World Animal Day is presently being commanded by different government offices. For instance, Nepal’s Department of Livestock Services gets involved every year.
Events held On World Animal Day
- Educational and awareness programs
- Peaceful protest marches to raise awareness
- Workshops and conferences
- Schools and office events
- Pet adoption drives and shelter open days
- Fundraising programs like concerts, balls, film shows
- Competitions
- Free rabies vaccination drives
- Radio and TV programs
- Veterinary camps
Unknown Facts
- Around 6.5 million animals are admitted to US animal shelters every year, approximately 1.5 million being euthanized. What you can do to stop this is by supporting your local animal shelters and adopting them instead of buying from a pet shop.
- Around 100 million sharks are killed by humans every year in comparison to only 6 humans being killed by sharks every year. Now we know who is more dangerous.
- More than 300 minke whales are killed by Japan every year which includes pregnant whales as well. These beautiful creatures are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection act.
- One of the driving forces for climate change is deforestation. This impacts humans as well as animals. Various animals have lost their habitat due to this.
Things To Do On World Animal Day
One of the greatest things you can do on World Animal Day is by making your own pet happy if you have one and doing things they like. For instance, if you have a dog, let him gorge on his favorite treats or give him an extra pat that day.
Apart from this, you can visit local animal shelters and volunteer for a day, and experience a day with animals. You can also adopt a pet from an animal shelter if you want one. Feed the street animals and provide them food and water. Just one act of kindness can make a huge difference so go ahead and celebrate World Animal Day!
