World Animal Day

October 4 2007 is World Animal Day; a time for animal welfare groups, sanctuaries and individuals throughout the world to encourage people to think about how we as humans relate to animals.

World Animal Day was started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. Since then it has grown to encompass all kinds of animal life and has been widely celebrated in countries as diverse as Australia and Malta, Singapore and Lithuania.

The event was launched in the UK in 2003. Organisations and individuals who participated in what was to become an annual event in this country, quite simply, helped make history. Hundreds of people also took the opportunity to make a pledge for the animals. Meanwhile in other parts of the world, WAD continued to grow.

One way to celebrate World Animal Day, which is also the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, is to hold a pet blessing service. The Blue Cross is asking churches up and down the country to hold a special pet blessing service on either 1 or 8 October.

A special service booklet has been produced to support churches that would like to take part and suggests that they might donate part or all of their collections to The Blue Cross to help continue the vital work of caring for animals in need.

If you would like a copy of the booklet then you can email events@bluecross.org.uk or call the events team on 01993 825557.

World Animal Day charity concert - 4 October.

This concert from Alexandra Carter, marks World Animal Day and is in aid of the Naturewatch Foundation. Taking place in London, tickets are available online at www.alexandracarter.com and the evening also features a free glass of wine, nibbles, goodie bag, and a massage.  

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