World Animal Welfare Day: World Animal Welfare Day is annually celebrated on 4th October with the objective to raise awareness to improve the welfare standards of animals all over the world. World Animal Welfare Day 2023 theme is ‘Great or small, love them all.’ This theme was chosen to raise the status of animals for their better and improved welfare standards all around the world.
World Animal Welfare Day
The inaugural World Animal Welfare Day or World Animal Day occurred on March 24, 1925, thanks to the efforts of animal protection advocate Heinrich Zimmermann. At present, the responsibility of organizing this global celebration falls to the UK-based animal welfare charity, Naturewatch Foundation.
In 2003, the Naturewatch Foundation took a significant step by launching the first official World Animal Day website. This website serves as a central hub, providing a comprehensive list of worldwide events connected to World Animal Day. Supporters are also encouraged to contribute by adding their own events to the directory.
World Animal Welfare Day serves as a meaningful tribute to Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology, as it aligns with his birthday. This day offers a vital platform to raise awareness and promote the welfare of animals worldwide.
World Animal Day
World Animal Day aims to raise awareness about the impact of human actions on voiceless creatures. Its primary goal is to establish rescue shelters, gather funds, initiate animal welfare initiatives, and organize activities that enhance living conditions for animals.
Moreover, this day strives to promote awareness about animal cruelty, which encompasses various forms of mistreatment, such as throwing stones, beating, and using animals for improper purposes.
Theme
The theme of 2022 was ‘a shared planet’.
The theme for this year’s 2023 World Animal Day is ‘Great or Small, Love Them All’.
Celebration
The day is celebrated worldwide on October 4th every year. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about animal welfare and promoting compassion towards animals. The celebration varies across countries and communities, but there are common ways in which it is observed.
- Education and Awareness: Many schools, colleges, and animal welfare organizations use this day as an opportunity to educate people, especially children, about the importance of animal welfare. They organize workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns to spread the message of treating animals with kindness and respect.
- Fundraising: Some organizations and individuals use World Animal Day as a platform to raise funds for animal welfare causes. They organize events like charity runs, bake sales, and online fundraisers to collect money that can be used to support animal shelters, rescue operations, and medical treatment for animals in need.
- Adoption Drives: Animal shelters often host special adoption events on World Animal Day to encourage people to adopt pets instead of buying them from breeders or pet stores. These events can help provide loving homes to animals in need and reduce the number of animals in shelters.
- Volunteer Activities: Many people choose to spend World Animal Day volunteering at local animal shelters, sanctuaries, or wildlife rehabilitation centers. They offer their time and efforts to help care for animals and contribute to their well-being.
- Pet Blessings: Some churches and religious communities hold special services on World Animal Day where pets are blessed. This symbolizes the importance of animals in people’s lives and the need to protect and care for them.
- Advocacy and Lobbying: Animal rights activists and organizations use this day to advocate for stricter animal welfare laws and regulations. They may organize rallies, petitions, and meetings with policymakers to push for positive changes in legislation.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Social media plays a significant role in spreading the message of World Animal Day. People share photos, stories, and facts about animals to raise awareness and encourage others to join the cause.
- Plant-Based Initiatives: Some individuals and groups choose to celebrate World Animal Day by promoting plant-based diets and reducing the consumption of animal products. This supports animal welfare by reducing demand for products that involve animal suffering.
Animal Welfare Board of India(AWBI)
The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) serves as both a statutory and advisory body for the Government of India. Its primary mission is to offer counsel on animal welfare legislation and actively promote the well-being of animals across the nation.
Established in 1962 under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, this board comprises 28 members, each appointed to serve a 3-year term. AWBI plays a pivotal role in ensuring the enforcement of animal welfare laws throughout the country. Moreover, it extends financial support to various Animal Welfare Organizations.
The headquarters of AWBI is situated in the Faridabad District of Haryana.
The Animal Welfare Board of India is a statutory advisory body on Animal Welfare Laws and promotes animal welfare in the country. Established in 1962 under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (No. 59 of 1960), the Animal Welfare Board of India was started under the stewardship of Late Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, well known humanitarian.
From ensuring that animal welfare laws in the country are diligently followed, to provide grants to Animal Welfare Organizations and advising the Government of India on animal welfare issues, the Board has been the face of the animal welfare movement in the country for the last 60 years. Through its services, Board ensures that animal welfare laws in the country are diligently followed, provides grants to Animal Welfare Organizations and advises the Government of India on animal welfare issues.
The Board consists of 28 Members including 6 Members of Parliament (2 Members of Parliament from Rajya Sabha and 4 Members of Parliament from Lok Sabha).
The Board consists of 28 Members. The term of office of Members is for a period of 3 years.
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