World Animal Day 2021

“THE LOVE FOR ALL LIVING CREATURES IS THE NOBLEST ATTRIBUTE OF MAN.”

- CHARLES DARWIN -

Animals have been the inhabitants of this planet along with humans, since the beginning of time. Their diversity is vast and their presence on this land is vital to the ecosystem. However, they are being continuously threatened and are on the verge of being extinct. Since animals do not have the power to voice their problems, it is our duty as humans to voice on behalf of them.

Accordingly, the World Animal Day that falls on 4th of October every year is a very special day in the calendar for it has significantly impacted society in driving the people to advocate and step forward to stop cruelty towards both wild and domestic animals. Be they from land, sea or air, every animal has the right to live though their rights are often discriminated. Accordingly, the aim of celebrating this day is to “raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe.” By doing so, it is expected that the world will unite as one family to run the animal welfare movements, mobilize them to increase the awareness and to root the engagement of all age groups in making a better future for animals.

“ANIMALS ARE THE BRIDGE BETWEEN US AND THE BEAUTY OF ALL THAT IS NATURAL.”

- TRISHA MCCAGH -

Fragments of history

The World Animal Day took its maiden entrance on 24th of March 1925 under the guidance of the cynologist, Heinrich Zimmerman. He was also a journalist, editor and a writer apart from being an animal activist. His desire to be a part of a huge movement that would lead to promote animal welfare paved the way to universalise World Animal Day as well as for the publication of the magazine - Mensh und Hund / Man and Dog, and two heavy volumes of the Lexicon for Friends of Dogs and Animal Brother. The inaugural event was held successfully with the participation of over 5000 people at the Sport Palace in Berlin, Germany. The day was originally scheduled to be held on October 4th and after 1929 it was started to be celebrated on the aforementioned date, every year. It should be also noted the day was especially chosen as October 4th because it is the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, an Italian Catholic preacher who is the patron saint of ecology including animals. As a tribute and to continue his legacy, the day was initially established to promote animal welfare. The tireless effort of Heinrich resulted in making a better world for all animal habitats, whereas on 8th May 1931, the International Animal Protection Congress in Italy adopted the resolution to make the World Animal Day celebrated worldwide annually.

Are you aware?

The emergence of the novel pandemic - Covid 19 has turned a new page in the lives of both humans and animals. However, it has impacted more on animals than that of humans. The animals have been used for traditional medicine, fur, research and many more, while they have also been used to test vaccines. Also, it has been found that animals have suffered by being victims of the virus and from socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic. For instance, in China, the animals that have been kept for sale at markets are now being used for illicit meat trade where they have been used at restaurants discreetly. Also, a number of cases was reported from a zoo in Barcelona where four tigers and three lions were tested positive of Covid-19 after potentially exposing them to crowds. Moreover, approximately, 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized at animal shelters annually, in the United States of America. Not only that it has also been found that 100 million sharks are killed every year by humans mainly from shark finning. Considering the situation in Sri Lanka, the number of cases reported on abuse of domestic animals remains on trajectory while the elephant- human conflict remains on the other hand. Many endemic species have lost their habitats as well as their populations. For instance, nearly 86 residential bird species and 43 migratory bird species have been threatened as a result of irresponsible human behaviors and chipping away a significant area of bird habitats in Muthurajawela. In the domestic level, mostly cats and dogs are highly abused where they are subjected to physical and mental traumas. Accordingly it can be clearly seen that the cruelty towards animals is widely visible in today's society.

“ALL CREATURES DESERVE A LIFE FREE FROM FEAR AND PAIN.”

- MAURA CUMMINGS -

What can we do to save the animal community?

For centuries humans have made pledges to enhance animal welfare and have taken numerous measures to protect the animals. These measures include holding awareness campaigns, donation campaigns, social media campaigns, instituting organizations, organizing walks, events, and many more. Yet, the cruelty towards animals has not been eradicated completely. In order to keep a full stop for these inhumane activities, and to find a permanent solution, the awareness itself is not sufficient. After being aware of the issues, people should physically engage where they would raise their voices and step forward in stopping animal cruelty. As a backup, there should be a proper legal system in both national and international levels that will provide the space to deliver legal justice and take measures by limiting the use of animals for various researches in both medical and cosmetic fields. Moreover there are organizations which recruit animal advocates and appoint ambassadors. By joining such, people will be able to engage in a more productive manner, while being responsible for their actions. Furthermore, global branding is considered as a very effective mean of stopping animal cruelty for it reach a wider audience. Most importantly, the active engagement in raising awareness will help to mitigate the cruelty towards animals and to safeguard their rights.

“IF A MAN ASPIRES TOWARDS A RIGHTEOUS LIFE, HIS FIRST ACT OF ABSTINENCE IS

FROM INJURY TO ANIMALS.

- ALBERT EINSTEIN -

Lastly, if you have the slightest urge to protect the animal community, step forward. “Each one of us can make a difference – together we can make change! Be part of something special.” As responsible individuals of the society it is our duty to not to limit ourselves to a particular day but remain in action by speaking on behalf of the animal community all 365 days of the year. Besides humans do have so much to learn from animals for they exhibit qualities connected with social instincts together with love and sympathy. Thus, learning to coexist will directly impact on creating a better world and a future for all the animals.

- Rtr. Malithi Fernando -