4th October: World Animal Day is celebrated today

World Animal Day is internationally celebrated every year on 4 October, on the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

The purpose to celebrate this day is to educate humans about how their actions impact animals and create awareness about the protection of animals all over the world.

According to the World Animal Day website, the motto of the day is, “To raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe. Building the celebration of World Animal Day unites the animal welfare movement, mobilizing it into a global force to make the world a better place for all animals.”

“Through increased awareness and education we can create a world where animals are always recognized as sentient beings and full regard is always paid to their welfare,” the website added.

This day is celebrated in many different ways in every country, irrespective of the differences in nationality, religion, faith or political ideology.

World Animal Day was initiated by Heinrich Zimmermann. He organized the first World Animal Day on 24 March, 1925 at the Sport Palace in Berlin, Germany.

The date for the same was moved to 4 October in 1929.

Today, World Animal Day is led and sponsored by UK-based animal welfare charity, Naturewatch Foundation.

Internationally renowned organizations like National Geographic, Australia Zoo also spoke about the importance of saving our wildlife and protecting them from extinction.

World Animal Day is an opportunity to commemorate our love and respect for animals.

It gives us a chance to do something special to highlight their importance in the world.

It unites the animal welfare movement and helps transform the betterment of animals’ lives into a global force for change.