Started in Germany in 1925, World Animal Day has grown into a true global celebration intended to bring awareness to animal welfare issues and make the world a better place for animals.
This Saturday, dozens of cities around the globe will hold events to celebrate World Animal Day. From Boston to Sydney, each year various organizations put together speakers or informational activities to mark the day, which occurs annually on Oct. 4.
The first World Animal Day was organized exactly 100 years ago in Germany by dog-lover Heinrich Zimmerman. Since then, the holiday has spread throughout the world as a cause to raise awareness of animal welfare concerns.
“Since World Animal Day started 100 years ago, the movement has stretched to every corner of the globe,” said Sarah Carr, global coordinator for World Animal Day. “Today, there are more than 100 World Animal Day ambassadors in more than 70 countries, and our ambition is to have an ambassador in every country.”
Carr is CEO of the U.K.-based animal welfare charity Naturewatch Foundation, which coordinates World Animal Day, and awards a competitive annual grant open to “ambassadors” who organize events and help spread the word about the holiday and what it stands for.
“The grant has helped fund animal ambulances, education programs and animal vaccinations,” Carr said. “It is truly amazing to see the wonderful work of World Animal Day ambassadors as they help animals in need around the world.”
For the past seven years Naturewatch Foundation has declared a theme for the celebration. This year’s theme is “Save Animals, Save the Planet.” While World Animal Day is heavily focused on animal welfare and not directly connected to One Health, (One Health has its own day on Nov. 3) this year’s theme has a strong One Health feeling to it. The One Health initiative recognizes that human, animal and environmental health are interconnected.
Carrie McNeil, DVM, MPH, cochair of the AAHA One Health Guidelines task force, said the celebration ties in closely to veterinary medicine as well.
“As veterinarians, we see each day how animals and humans lives and wellbeing are interwoven,” McNeil said. “Using a One Health approach to caring for our patients not only impacts that individual animal’s health but that of the families and the environment where they live. As we celebrate World Animal Day, we honor the critical role animals play in our lives and in the health of our planet.” /
