3 October 2008

Animal lovers are being encouraged to mark a special day devoted to their pets.

World Animal Day is an international event held tomorrow that aims to raise the profile of the importance of the globe's four-legged friends.

Joy Ward and Stacy Mantle, authors and supporters of the event, reported that animal owners can join in the day's celebrations and show how much joy pets bring to people's lives.

"We urge you to join your human and animal brethren across this miraculous world to help us use this opportunity to remind others what animals contribute to our lives," the pair told Dog Magazine.

The special day was first held in 1931, in Italy, in order to help protect animals that faced extinction.

Since then World Animal Day has grown into an international event and acts as a global reminder how important pets are to their owners.

Animal lovers can join in with many events organised for the day including demonstrations and lectures.