The Beginning Of The World Commemorates Animal Day In History Today, October 4, 1929

Stranded Dog (Unsplash/Evan Clark)

JAKARTA - Every October 4, the world commemorates World Animal Day. It is a social movement whose mission is to improve the status of animals and raise standards of animal welfare worldwide. World Animal Day brings together people who advocate for animals and work in the animal welfare movement.

World Animal Day is not only a movement for the welfare of pets, but also wild animals, endangered species, and animals threatened by environmental damage. This day is a reminder not only to love the animals in our homes but to value and respect all living things that are part of our ecosystem.

Citing National Today, the beginning of World Animal Day can be seen from a century ago. It started with a simple movement, but today it is becoming a global force to make the world a better place for all animals.

Animal Day was first held on March 24, 1925, at the Sport Palace in Berlin, Germany and was attended by more than 5,000 people. Animal day was initiated by German magazine publisher and lover, Heinrich Zimmermann. The magazine 'Man and Dog' at the time launched an animal day event to raise awareness and animal welfare.

In 1929, animal day began to be observed on October 4. October 4 is also known as the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. Saint Francis is known as the patroness of animals.

He is loved by Catholics for his extraordinary way of loving animals and all living things. Some Catholic churches are even known to give blessings to pets on the day to honor all that St. Francis has done for animals.

Whale (Unsplash/Dorothea Oldani)

Initially, animal day was only celebrated by people in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Czechoslovakia. But in May 1931, at a meeting of the International Congress for the Protection of Animals in Florence, Italy, Zimmerman's proposal to make October 4th World Animal Day a universal celebration was unanimously accepted and adopted. Finally, Animal Day is celebrated globally.

World Animal Day is also an occasion for ecologists to discuss issues related to endangered species. Starting in 2003, the UK-based charity, the Naturewatch Foundation, sponsored these events and organized ways for animal lovers around the world to take part and make their voices heard to protect animals.

Unfortunately the fate of the animal

Citing data from The Humane Society, the animals most frequently abused are dogs, cats, horses, and farm animals. An investigation revealed that there is abundant animal abuse in the factory farming industry. But because of the weak protection afforded to farm animals, only the most shocking cases are reported and few are ever prosecuted.

Human cruelty is felt even by creatures that are famous for being savage in the sea. The journal of Marine Policy says that about 100 million sharks are killed every year by humans. Meanwhile, according to data from the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack, sharks kill about six humans every year. Most sharks are killed for their fins and used as food menu.

Orangutan (Unsplash/Stuart Jansen)

Meanwhile, the fate of the minke whale in Japan is getting worse because it continues to be hunted and used as a commercial item. Japan has a tradition of whale hunting for centuries. After the Second World War, when the Land of Sakura struggled to feed its inhabitants, whale meat became a staple of Japan's diet. Those who support whaling see whaling as more than just food on a plate: it's a source of national pride.

Climate change and deforestation not only threaten humans, but also threaten the survival of wild animals. One of the wild animals that has a habitat in the forest, the orangutan, has lost more than 90 percent of its habitat due to the destruction of the forest over the last two decades. Other animals suffering from global climate change include polar bears, rhinos, elephants and tigers.

There are many more animals that have suffered misfortune due to human activities. World Animal Day is expected not only to commemorate, but as a reminder that human beings should be able to maintain the survival of other creatures in this world.

*Read other information about TODAY's HISTORY or read other interesting articles from Putri Ainur Islam.

TODAY'S HISTORY More