When is World Animal Day?
October 4th is World Animal Day.
What is World Animal Day?
Against reckless industry, human negligence, and abuse, the world’s animals don’t stand much of a chance on their own. They don’t have to stand alone though. To defend vulnerable animals, advocates use World Animal Day to make our world a friendlier place for animals.
It’s a day to respect all animals, both wild and domestic. It’s also a chance to ponder some challenging questions. Do horses experience complex emotions like humans do? Does a grey whale display compassion when it rescues a seal from orcas? Can your dog sense and participate in your grief?
These debates continue to boil, but one thing is certain: thoughtless human negligence is a poor excuse for animal mistreatment. World Animal Day promotes the welfare of animals and the need to preserve them from abuse and the destruction of their natural homes.
Fun facts about World Animal Day!
- In 2017, the snow leopard’s threat status improved from Endangered to Vulnerable.
- The last male of the northern white rhinoceros died in 2018. However, the southern white rhinoceros was removed in 2018 from the endangered species list.
- Heinrich Zimmerman of Berlin, Germany created World Animal Day in 1925.
- World Animal Day occurs on the Christian church’s feast day for the patron saint of animals, Francis of Assisi.
How to celebrate World Animal Day:
- Donate your time and resources to an animal protection organization.
- Adopt a pet, or volunteer at an animal shelter.
- Attend an animal blessing service at a religious institution near you.
- Join a workshop about rabies prevention, caring for working animals, or another topic of animal well-being.
What’s the hashtag for World Animal Day?
Promote animal welfare by using #WorldAnimalDay on social media.