World Animal Day

Animal lovers from all over the globe are joining together on October 4 to celebrate World Animal Day. Started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species, World Animal Day has grown to encompass all kinds of animal life and is widely celebrated in countries throughout the world. October 4 was chosen because it is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

“It is intended as a day of celebration for anyone in the world who cares about animals,” says Jim Willis, a devoted animal advocate and this year’s World Animal Day Ambassador in the United States. “It is not restricted to any one nationality, creed, religion, political belief, or ideology.”

For four decades, Willis has championed animals and efforts for them, first in the USA, and then in Germany, where he lived for many years and founded The Tiergarten Sanctuary Trust. Since his return to America, he has become one of the world’s most published animal advocates, with books published in seven countries. His book Pieces of My Heart–Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature has raised a significant amount of funds for animal efforts and he is currently working on a new book.

Since the official World Animal Day website was launched in 2003, the number of World Animal Day events taking place throughout the world has increased. If you are doing something special for World Animal Day, you can send your name, organization’s name (if you have one), event details, and a contact e-mail address or website to World Animal Day’s online Events Diary for free publicity.
“It is inexcusable that the USA, a world leader and economic power, would tolerate such a lack of compassion for animals,” says Willis. “We have much to learn from animal welfare models in other countries and we all have a global responsibility to elevate those creatures who can never speak for themselves to the position they deserve as sentient beings. As Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’ I’m encouraged that World Animal Day unites us internationally in our common cause and I urge everyone to participate and help organize events in their own communities.”