WORLD Animal Day was celebrated throughout the world on Oct 4. The mission was to raise awareness of animals’ welfare and improve standards.
World Animal Day celebrations help to promote and unite animal welfare organisations as a global movement to make the world a better place for animals.
Animal welfare groups and organisations in many countries carried out all kinds of activities to mark World Animal Day. However, it was sad to note that in Malaysia, the response to Animal Day was lukewarm. There was not enough information in print or social media about the celebration in the country.
Ideally, the legal guardians of our animals — Veterinary Services Department and The Wildlife Departments — should have drawn out plans to organise meaningful activities to celebrate the day.
I am sure, with the cooperation of the various animal welfare groups, several fun-filled and educational activities could have been carried out.
Listed below are some activities that the authorities and animal lovers should give due consideration to in celebration of World Animal Day:
Animal welfare awareness and education events;
Shelter open days and pet adoption events;
Animal blessing services;
Fund raising events;
Workshops and seminars to educate owners of working animals;
School-related events such as animal-related competitions (colouring of animals for kids), film shows etc.;
Spay and neuter marathons and veterinary treatment camps, and;
Radio and television interviews on raising awareness on animal issues, and World Animal Day and its mission.
The government should consider allocating funds for the relevant agencies to hold events to mark World Animal Day. We should also hold annual events to honour individuals who have contributed significantly to animal welfare or organisations, including the media for highlighting animal welfare issues and problems.
S. PARAM, Ipoh, Perak