World Animal Day is an annual celebration observed on October 4th of each year. The commemoration of the day is to raise the status of animals and to improve their welfare standards from around the globe. It is an international day for animal rights and welfare. The day remembers and pays tribute to all animals and the people who love, care, and respect them.
“If we’re destroying our trees and destroying our environment and hurting animals and hurting one another and all that stuff, there’s got to be a very powerful energy to fight that. I think we need more love in the world. We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, more laughter. I definitely want to contribute to that.” – Ellen DeGeneres
History of World Animal Day
Heinrich Zimmermann first celebrated World Animal Day in the year 1931. The celebration of the day remembers the important role played by the animals in the world and the people who dedicate their lives solely to work for protecting and caring for those animals. The mission of the day is to raise the status of animals. It also focuses on improving their welfare standards globally. The celebration of the day makes the world a better place for all animals by uniting the animal welfare movement and mobilizing it into a global force. Irrespective of nationality, religion, faith, or political ideology, the day is celebrated in different ways in every country.
With the increased awareness and education we can create a world where animals will be accepted as sentient beings. They will be regarded and given welfare. World Animal Day focuses on drawing attention to protecting natural habitats, endangered species, and supporting animal welfare. The history of World Animal Day date back to 1925. Heinrich Zimmermann, the German writer, and publisher of the magazine Mensch und Hund/Man and Dog originated the day. On March 24, 1925, he had organized the first World Animal Day at the Sports Palace in Berlin, Germany.
The event was originally scheduled on 4th October. It was the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology. But the venue was not available on that day and was held at Sports Palace. More than 5,000 people had attended this first event. For the first time in 1929, the event was moved to 4th October. Initially, Heinrich Zimmermann found a following only in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Czechoslovakia. The tireless work of Zimmermann each year made the promotion of World Animal Day. Finally, his proposal to make 4th October as World Animal Day universal was unanimously accepted. It was adopted as a resolution on May 1931 at a congress of the International Animal Protection Congress in Florence Italy.
Other Celebrations on October 4
October 4 is also celebrated as
How to Celebrate the day
Celebrating World Animal Day can be done in many unusual ways. Indulge yourself in protecting and saving the animals. Bring awareness to the people about how to protect animals. Eat vegetarian foods and don’t buy products made from animals and tested on animals. Post and share your celebrations on social media using the hashtag #WorldAnimalDay.
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