What is World Animal Day?
World Animal Day is celebrated on 4 October, a date promoted by the World Organisation for the Protection of Animals, with the aim of halting the extinction of many species.
Why is World Animal Day celebrated?
This particular day was chosen to coincide with the saint of animals, Saint Francis of Assisi, who in his lifetime considered that all beings that inhabit the earth are God's creatures.
In 1980, Pope John Paul II declared St. Francis of Assisi the patron saint of animals, an action that popularised the celebration of this day, because every year, millions of Catholics congregate together with their pets in churches for them to receive the Blessing of the Pets.
Back in the 1200s, when St. Francis of Assisi was just a boy, he said "that we must understand our place on Earth, for our well-being is connected to the well-being of all animals and the environment.
His words were not understood at all at the time, but today all human beings know for certain how wise and prescient that statement was.
The intention of celebrating World Animal Day is to remind us that, although we are the most evolved species, that does not take away the rights and protection of the rest of the animals on the planet.
Because we are all part of a chain known as the cycle of life, and the destruction of any species wreaks havoc on nature.
How can we celebrate animal day?
The best way to celebrate this day is by respecting all living beings that coexist with us on the planet. Also by attending or carrying out educational activities that promote a healthy interest in animals in the younger generations.
Another excellent way is to share messages that raise awareness among other Internet users about the furry beings, with feathers or scales, that live around us, but do not have wifi connection to raise their voice in favour of their rights.
Share with the hashtag #WorldAnimalsDay
