THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Every year, October 4 is celebrated internationally as World Animal Day, also known as World Animal Welfare Day.
World Animal Day serves as an International Day of Action, advocating for the rights and welfare of animals.
World Animal Day unites animal lovers worldwide, raising awareness and fostering a sense of responsibility towards the well-being of animals. Each year, World Animal Day is observed with special themes.
The theme for this year, 2023, is ‘Great or Small, Love Them All.’
Theme of this year emphasizes the importance of acknowledging animals as sentient beings. It underscores the need to elevate global animal care standards and advocates for animal rights universally.
World Animal Day brings together animal lovers and mobilizes the animal protection movement into a global force to make the world a better place for all animals. The occasion reminds everyone of our duty to protect and care for the many species that share our planet. Together, we can put an end to the pain and cruelty inflicted on animals and change the way the world works.
When exploring the history of World Animal Day, we find that it was originated by cynologist (an expert in the study of canines or domestic dogs), Heinrich Zimmermann. Heinrich Zimmermann organized the first World Animal Day on October 4 for the first time in 1929. Every year, Zimmermann worked to promote World Animal Day.
Later, in May 1931, at the International Animal Protection Congress in Florence, Italy, his proposal to make October 4 a universal World Animal Day was unanimously accepted and adopted as a resolution.
In India, several animal lovers also observe the day. When talking to Janam TV, Dr. Sreejith S, Assistant Professor at LBS College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, said that as an animal lover, he usually provides water to stray dogs and birds, especially during the summer season.
He also mentioned that, even though he doesn’t have much free time, he makes an effort to buy fish for cats. He then explained the importance of conserving biodiversity and highlighted how conservation activities can work to safeguard endangered animals. He then said he always tries to keep his social media profile photos with animals.
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