Nine decades ago, the idea of World Animal Day was mooted by Heinrich Zimmermann, the German writer and publisher of the magazine M ensch und Hund/Man and Dog . He organised the first World Animal Day on March 24, 1925, in the Sport Palace in Berlin, Germany. Over 5,000 people attended. Initially, he found a following only in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Czechoslovakia. But, Zimmermann worked on promoting World Animal Day. Finally, in May 1931 at a congress of the world’s animal protection organisations in Florence, Italy, his proposal to make October 4 World Animal Day universal, was accepted.
This is also an opportune time to talk about the humane treatment of farm animals and to advocate for protection of habitats of wild animals. This is now a social movement with the hope of raising the status of animals to improve their lives. To achieve this, animal welfare organisations, community groups, youth and children’s clubs, businesses and individuals organise events to draw attention to animal issues.
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Ecosystems are extremely fragile and when any species becomes extinct, it has serious repercussions. So, it is important to conserve the balance in our ecosystems and protect them. It ensures that tens of thousands of people will maintain their farming and fishing livelihoods. Over the years, World Animal Day has seen great success in improving the lives of animals.
In Egypt, the day’s events have led to additional clauses in the Egyptian constitution that offer rights to animals. Similarly, in Sudan, the parliament has introduced new legislation meant to protect animals. Today, there are 89 ambassadors raising awareness, and encouraging participation in, in 76 countries around the globe.
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A good place to start is the official website ( https://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/ ), where you can get help coming up with an idea, organise a plan, and put it into action.
Another thing you can do is stop buying things made from animals like leather and fur.
Don’t buy household and personal products tested on animals.
Contribute time, money or material to local animal rights and animal welfare organisations.
Sign the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare which is an international agreement “among people and nations to recognise that animals are sentient beings and can suffer, to respect their welfare needs, and to end animal cruelty.” You can sign it online at www.animalsmatter.org
Important days
There are also other days linked to animals such as World Farmed Animals Day (October 2), World Day for Laboratory Animals (April 24), World Wildlife Day (March 3) and many more. However, World Animal Day is the one day of the year that embraces all animals and the unique concerns of each, in every country. It unites the animal welfare movement, mobilising it into a global force for change.
Act for a cause
Pet adoption drives
Fund-raising events such as concerts and sponsored walks
Film screening
Veterinary treatment camp
Peaceful protest march
Volunteer at a zoo or a park
Make your own pledge board