World Animal Day

What is World Animal Day?

World Animal Day, on the 4th of October, is an international day to raise awareness of animal welfare and the rights of animals. The idea came from the German writer Heinrich Zimmermann, who held the first event in Berlin in the interwar years. The date was later fixed on the 4th of October, the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment.

Today the day is coordinated by an international network of animal welfare groups and marked in many countries. The aim is to improve standards of animal welfare everywhere, for pets as well as farm animals and wildlife.

The date never changes; only the day of the week does.

In 2027 it falls on Monday 4 October.

World Animal Day in the UK

World Animal Day is not a bank holiday. Animal charities, rescue centres and schools use the day to draw attention to their work, with fundraising events, open days and lessons about caring for animals. Many people share photos of their pets on social media or make a donation to an animal charity.

Around the feast of St Francis, some churches hold a blessing of the animals, where people bring their pets along to the service.