Animals contribute significantly to the ecosystem. To many people, they offer much-desired companionship, especially pets and other agricultural animals. Unfortunately, other people see animals as a source of food, free labour, and exploitation. This has led to extreme animal suffering, hence, days like World Animal Day were set aside to celebrate their importance.
Two lions pictured in the savannah (L) and a herd of zebras and black birds are spotted near a pond (R). Photo: pexels.com, @Iurii Ivashchenko, @Magda Ehlers (modified by author)
Source: UGC
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World Animal Day has been in observation for more than 90 years. While you may only consider it a day to pay more attention to animals, there is more to it than what meets the eye. Therefore, it is essential to have a brief history of this special day and how you can celebrate it.
When is World Animal Day celebrated?
World Animal Day, also known as World Animal Welfare Day or World Animal Protection Day, is an annual celebration held on 4 October to promote the rights and welfare of animals worldwide. The 2025 World Animal Day will be marked on Saturday, 4 October 2025.
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2025 World Animal Day theme
The theme for World Animal Day in 2025 will be The World is Their Home Too. The theme remains the same as was in 2024. It addresses the need to embrace animals and see them as part of the universe.
Two orange tigers are sitting beside each other. Photo: pexels.com, @Thomas B.
Source: UGCImportance of World Animal Day
World Animal Day celebrations aim to increase awareness about animal welfare by encouraging people to pay more attention to and appreciate the contribution of animals to the ecosystem.
The day was set aside for the celebration because of an observed increase in animal suffering. Throughout the day, local and international communities strive to end animal deaths and exploitation.
Through animal education, people are encouraged to create a harmonious environment that recognises wild and farmed animals’ thoughts, feelings, and personalities.
The day goes beyond mobilising people globally to take action against poor animal treatment. While the day is celebrated only on 4 October, its impact is felt all year round through various local and global awareness programmes.
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The day remains significant because of the reasons listed below.
It fosters community and global cooperation among animal lovers by encouraging people from different backgrounds to come together for a common cause. It promotes advocacy and policy change. The day provides a platform for animal welfare organisations to advocate for policy changes that affect animals. These include legislation drives against animal cruelty, illegal wildlife trade, and animal exploitation. Many of this day’s activities focus on conserving endangered species and their habitats. These include fundraising events and educational projects that highlight the importance of biodiversity. 
A mother and baby elephant are pictured walking beside each other. Photo: pexels.com, @Pixabay
Source: UGCHistory of World Animal Day
World Animal Day has undergone numerous changes since its inception. The first celebration was held on 24 March 1925 in Berlin’s sports palace.
The event had over 5000 people, with the German author, publisher, and animal activist Heinrich Zimmermann as the organiser.
Although the event was first marked on 24 March, Zimmermann wanted the day to be observed on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, which is on 4 October.
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St. Francis is recognised as the patron saint of animals since most people believe that animals gathered around him whenever he preached. The day also gained popularity in 1931 when a convention of ecologists in Florence, Italy, highlighted the plight of endangered animal species.
The celebrations were officially moved to October 1948 when a group of Australians organised celebrations with the support of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
Two brown deer are spotted on a lush green field. Photo: pexels.com, @David Rama
Source: UGCHow to celebrate World Animal Day
A happy World Animal Day is best marked by taking part in activities that promote animal welfare. People show love to animals differently on this day, whether by giving them the best treatment and attention or speaking loudly about animal rights.
How you choose to celebrate the day is at your discretion. However, it is important to remember that the primary purpose of the day is to promote animal awareness and rights through your actions. Some of the World Animal Day activities you can be part of are listed below.
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Volunteer in animal charities
One way to ensure you observe this special day as more than a one-day celebration is to participate in animal charities in your community. These include fundraising for animal shelters, rescue operations, and conservation projects.
You can also participate in adoption drives to find homes for homeless and abandoned animals. Even without money to give, you can contribute to constructing animal shelters across the community.
Purchase animal-friendly products
Fighting against animal suffering starts with appreciating their presence and advocating for animal-friendly products. As you get into the festive mood, you can ditch your fur fabrics and eat fewer or no animal-based products. Some of the simple considerations include:
Buy People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)- or Leaping Bunny-certified cosmetic products. Reduce the amount of animal-based food and personal products. If possible, go 100% vegan for the day.
Three monkeys are sitting beside each other. Photo: pexels.com, @Pixabay
Source: UGCPromote animal rights awareness
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You can show love to animals by speaking on their behalf and fighting other people who treat animals poorly. You can organise social media awareness campaigns, public demonstrations, and petition drives to spread animal welfare awareness.
You can also use media channels like events and animal-related blogs to reach a wide audience. Another way to promote animal welfare awareness is to participate in school educational events, animal welfare organisation seminars, and workshops to teach people about animal rights.
Participate in animal blessings
If you are a Christian, you can take your animals to the church for a special blessing in honour of St. Francis of Assisi. You can also pray for and bless your animals at home by verbally blessing and sprinkling holy water. If you can, donate animal food and other necessities to the local animal shelter.
Two adult rhinos eating grass. Photo: pexels.com, @Frans van Heerden
Source: UGCWorld Animal Day quotes
You can wish a happy World Animal Day to your loved ones using quotes and messages. Check out some examples below.
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We may embrace World Animal Day to create or bring about change in the world, making it a safer and better environment for all beings on the globe. Happy World Animal Day.Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to. – Alfred A. MontapertHappy World Animal Day! If a government can assure and preserve the rights of all its humans, it is well-positioned to safeguard the rights of all animals.Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. – Anatole FranceAnimals are such agreeable friends? They ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. – George EliotHappy World Animal Day! Let us put a stop to our thirst for more and establish animal rights and welfare regulations for preserving and safeguarding diverse kinds of nature.Pets are humanising. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve, nurture and care for all life. – James Cromwell
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A group of penguins on a brown surface. Photo: pexels.com, @Pixabay
Source: UGC
Why do we celebrate World Animal Day?
We celebrate this special day to raise awareness about domestic and wild animal welfare, promote better treatment of animals globally, and celebrate the important roles animals play in everyone’s life.
What is the theme of World Animal Day?
The theme of this special day varies each year, focusing on different aspects of animal welfare and conservation to address current issues affecting animals globally. The theme for 2025 is The World is Their Home Too.
What are the slogans of World Animal Day?
Some common slogans of World Animal Day include:
Raise your voice for those who have no voice.Celebrate animal life in all its forms.Stand up for animal rights and welfare.
What is the hashtag for World Animal Day?
The hashtag for World Animal Day is #WorldAnimalDay.
What is the feast day for animals?
The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi celebrated on 4 October, is a day to bless animals. The same day is used to mark World Animal Day.
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World Animal Day, World Animal Welfare Day, or World Animal Protection Day is a vital event that aims to enhance attention to animal rights and welfare. Celebrated on the 4 October annually, the day serves as a reminder of the importance of animals’ existence and their contribution to the ecosystem.
Henzodaily.ng recently published fun facts about monkeys. Monkeys are some of the most captivating and intelligent animals on the planet.
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