World Animal Day is distinguished all over the world to advance the standing 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.  It's celebrated in different ways in every country, irrespective of nationality, religion, faith or political ideology.  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 welfare1.

The theme for the World Animal Day 2021 is “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet.”

The lives of animals are profoundly affected by the actions of individuals, businesses, and nations.  It’s therefore essential that, as sentient beings, their rightful status as recipients of social justice is established and translated into effective animal protection.

Throughout history, social movements, have always been a major vehicle for ordinary people’s participation in politics, and key in fighting for social justice and reform. Animal Day is one among such movements.

Animals play a crucial role in the environment, from maintaining ecological balance to bringing about human wellness. Along with recognizing this importance, World Animal Day also ensures that efforts are continued to be made to provide the animals with better rescue shelters, launch better animal welfare programs and raise necessary for funds for them.

Activists from around the world use the day to draw attention to some of the most pressing challenges facing animals, including:

• 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year; each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized (670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats). Support the ASPCA in help homeless animals.

• Sharks have way more to fear from humans than we humans have to fear from them. The journal Marine Policy says that around 100 million sharks are killed every year by humans; according to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File, sharks kill about six humans each year. Many sharks are killed during the inhumane practice of shark finning.

• Each year, Japan kills more than 330 minke whales, including pregnant females. Norway and Iceland also permit the killing of whales. Minkes are among the most beautiful creatures in the ocean. They are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

• Animal testing has long been part of both the medical and cosmetics fields, and unfortunately, some labs keep animals in horrific conditions and subject them to abusive experiences all in the name of scientific knowledge and innovation.

• Climate change impacts both humans and animals, and the deforestation of rainforests is a significant contributing factor. One of the most detrimental deforestation practices is caused by the harvesting of palm oil, which is found in 40% to 50% of the household products in the United States. One of the species most impacted by this trend is the orangutan; more than 90% of its habitat has been destroyed over the last two decades. Other animals that are suffering due to global climate change include many endangered and threatened species, including polar bears, rhinos, elephants and tigers2.

Make a difference on World Animal Day.

Sources:

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

2.      https://todaysveterinarynurse.com/articles/world-animal-day-5-facts-you-didnt-know/