World Animal Day

This year World Animal Day is slated for Tuesday, October 4. It's a day set aside to help raise the status of animals worldwide and improve their lives. The date is the "Feast Day" for Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology, including animals. Assisi died October 3, 1226, but his name and love for all creatures is often called upon when saying goodbye to our beloved pets.

The first World Animal Day was held in Germany in 1925 and was attended by only a few thousand people. Over 70 countries now celebrate it with more than 1,000 events, including educational seminars, pet adoption events, animal blessing services, and others designed to feature issues facing animals globally.

The website World Animal Day, cited below, lists various events that will be held this year to signify the importance of animals everywhere. There are many creative ideas, including low-cost spaying/neutering services in Costa Rica, Rabies awareness and vaccinations programs in Egypt, World Animal Day Bake Sale in the United Kingdom, a Feed a Stray photography contest in Egypt, Animal Welfare Education, the fight against donkey skin trade in Cameroon, and a massive worldwide meditation for animals. Check the site for more examples.

Scientists say the earth is home to about 8 million species of animals; approximately 6.5 million species on land and 2.2 million in the oceans. Recent statistics reveal that 36% of these species are at risk of extinction. Animals need our help. If you'd like to get involved for just one day or many, check with your area humane societies and animal advocacy groups. If you can't donate time, perhaps you could give a few bucks to the cause. There are a lot of opportunities for individuals, couples, work and church groups, school classrooms, book clubs, and others to get involved - and it's all for the love of animals!

Quote to remember: "God requires that we assist the animals when they need our help. Each being (human or creature) has the same right of protection." - St. Francis of Assisi

Sources:

Edu Dwar

https://www.edudwar.com/world-animal-day/

"World Animal Day 2022-2023: Theme, Significance, History"

Science Daily

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110823180459.htm

"How many species on Earth? About 8.7 million, new estimate says"

World Animal Day

https://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/events

"Events"