World Animal Day is an international day of action for animal rights and welfare celebrated annually on October 4th, the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
This special day was established in 1931 by ecologists in Florence in Italy and has now spread around the world, celebrating not just endangered and rare species, but all kinds of animal life.
Mission of the World Animal Day is 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, mobilising 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 recognised as sentient beings and full regard is always paid to their welfare.
Animal Welfare is a priority for the European Union. Visit EU Strategy on Animal Welfare to find out more about the promotion of animal welfare in the EU.