Every animal from the smallest ant colony to the large bear is unique. So, it makes sense that we have a day dedicated to their protection – World Animal Day, on the 4th of October every year.
Origin of World Animal Day
The origin of World Animal Day was humble but encouraging. Arranged by Heinrich Zimmermann, it took place on the 24th March 1925 at Sport’s Palace, Berlin; 5,000 people attended. While he had initially wished for it to be 4th October, in line with St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology, the venue wasn’t available. The date of World Animal Day officially became 4th October in 1929.
Following Germany immediately were Austria, Switzerland and Czechoslovakia. Global acceptance followed in May 1931, at the International Animal Protection Congress in Florence, Italy
How to celebrate World Animal Day
You don’t have to wait until World Animal Day to take a stand for animals, you can run events and fundraise throughout the year. But now is the perfect opportunity, so why not plan something? You could organise a bike ride, volunteer at a shelter and give care and treatment to street animals or run a bake sale or art exhibition; your options are endless.
How does World Animal Day help?
While World Animal Day is unaffected by politics, that’s not to say politics are unaffected by World Animal Day. The awareness and actions of everyone who participates can have a monumental effect on the treatment of animals worldwide. Many laws have been established purely for their protection and welfare, and it spreads awareness, and that’s vital. The more people know about animals and their suffering, the more like are likely to do to help conserve them and their habitats.
Blog by OneKind Planet volunteer writer, Rachel Fegan