Special day for animals

This is a week bristling with events. There's Children's Day, there's Elders' Day and then there's World Animal Day. This special day for all you animals lovers out there is observed on October 4.

This event is held with the objectives of celebrating animal life in all its forms; celebrating humankind's relationship with the animal kingdom; to acknowledge the diverse roles animals play in our lives - from being our companions, supporting and helping us, to bringing a sense of wonder into our lives; and to acknowledge and be thankful for the way in which animals enrich our lives. Special events are organised all over the globe with these objectives in mind.

World Animal Day was started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence, Italy as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. Since then it has grown to encompass all kinds of animal life and is widely celebrated in countries throughout the world. October 4 was chosen as World Animal Day as it is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

There are so many ways in which you could be involved in these activities. You could organise and be a part of some of the activities that may be held in your school, club or neighbourhood to increase awareness about the safety and welfare of animals. You could also take an animal off the street. Even if none of these things are possible, you could still contribute by resolving to take better care of your pets as well as the other animals around you.