An animal’s eyes can communicate in an inordinate language; therefore, we human beings must understand their behaviour as well. We observe October 4 as World Animal Day since 1925 concerning uplifting the condition of animals improves their well-being. All animal welfare issues are addressed on this day in the whole world. Schools, colleges, businesses, clubs and many other enterprises come forward to organise and to take part in events setting an aim to improve the lives of all animals. This year’s theme for this day is “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet.”

Nature watch Foundation, a UK-based animal welfare charity, leads the yearly worldwide festival. Nature watch Foundation launched its first World Animal Day website in 2003. This website displays lists of all the events of World Animal Day and also inspires the promoters to add their events. Today it has a network of 97 ambassadors across the globe. On March 24, 1925, Cynologist Heinrich Zimmermann organised the first in Berlin, Germany, where 5000 people attended this event. On October 27, 2006, the Polish parliament embraced a goal on the foundation of October 4 as Animal Day. The ambassador includes Jill Robinson, the founder and CEO of the Animals Asia Foundation. The ambassadors of World Animal Day can apply for annual grants that are sponsored by the Nature Watch Foundation. These grants help them in funding animal welfare projects in their country.    

World Animal Day leaves a lasting impact on everyone as it helps in a continuous increase in the welfare standards of animals. Animals are just as important as we are because we both share the same environment. There are over 7 million animal species. We make use of animal species for materials (leather and wool), food (egg, milk and meat), pets and working animals (for transport). They play an indispensable part in the environment’s protection and human wellness. This day reminds us of our responsibility towards animals and the environment.

This day targets to create an environment where everyone can survive reasonably in the world. On World Animal Day, each one of us around the globe must assemble and pledge to provide all rights to innocent animals and pledge to change the world. Various organisations glorify the movement against cruelty. The event on World Animal Day educates elder people, youth, children and old age people to treat animals kindheartedly and ethically.

Harshita Sinha