4 October 2017: World Animal Day

World Animal Day is celebrated on 4 October each year. The day aims to raise awareness of animal issues and to mobilise people for action for a better future for animals.

Throughout history, social movements like World Animal Day have been a vehicle for people’s participation in fighting for social justice and reform. The lives of animals are profoundly affected by the actions of people - individuals, businesses, and nations. Therefore World Animal Day embraces all animals and the unique concerns of each, in every country, and makes animals front page news.

Events and government action are occurring all over the world to celebrate World Animal Day and the progress made in caring for animals. For example, in Africa, the Sudanese Animal Care and Environmental Organisation introduced animal protection legislation by the Sudanese parliament, and in Asia, the Himalayan Animal Rescue Trust (HART) is celebrating the Nepal’s government Department of Livestock Services involvement in the celebrations.

World Animal Day is a special opportunity for everyone who cares about animals to commemorate the work done and work planned for the future to protect all animals, great and small.

MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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