World Animal Day is a day set aside globally on the 4th of October every year to celebrate animals. It is a special opportunity to commemorate our love and respect for animals by doing something special to highlight their importance in our communities and in the world. World animal day unites the animal welfare movements, mobilizing it into a global force for change.

The main objective of this year’s celebration in Kenya is to raise awareness on animal welfare, especially amongst the urban population of Nairobi. As animal welfare advocates, we recognize the strong linkage that has always existed between animals and human beings, more so within the African culture. Communities recognized the symbiotic relationship between people and animal which built a mutually respectful relationship between them. With time however, this harmonious co-existence has been threatened and continues to face significant strain.

Through this year’s celebration, we seek to increase awareness about the dynamic yet important relationship between human beings and animals. We too wish to raise awareness on the key element that animals are sentient beings, that is, they experience and display feelings; and their welfare should be protected and recognized because animals are a key component of the ecosystem in society.