Saturday marked the 100th annual World Animal Day, a time to pause and reflect on the animals who share our lives, our land and our homes.
COURTESY: Facebook - FOUR PAWSInstead of a physical gathering outside Parliament this
year, animal welfare organisation, FOUR PAWS is calling on individuals,
schools, organisations and communities across the country to mark the day in
their own way, using the Animal Welfare Advocacy Guide for a Kinder World. This
guide is a simple, practical tool that helps South Africans advocate for
stronger animal protection laws while making more compassionate choices in
everyday life, adds the organisation.
‘’Making animal welfare a focal point of our purpose is a
powerful way to create positive change for animals, whether through daily acts
of kindness or broader lifestyle adjustments. Small, committed actions truly
matter, and with a collective effort, we can build a future where animals are
treated with the respect and compassion they deserve,’’ said Fiona Miles,
Director of FOUR PAWS.
‘’World Animal Day is more than a celebration, it’s a
reflection of Ubuntu, reminding us that our humanity is deeply connected to how
we treat all living beings. This year, let us recommit to building a South
Africa where animals are treated with respect, empathy and understanding,’’ she
added.
Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town says it counted over 32
000 animals in its Domestic Animal Survey which was conducted between March and
May 2025.
MMC for Safety & Security, JP Smith, says more than 13
000 residents across 140 communities participated through in-person surveys,
while more than 9 000 persons did the survey online – with just over 6 000
completed in full.
‘’It's a happy coincidence to announce the findings of our
survey on World Animal Day, which advocates for saving and protecting animals.
This encapsulates the essence of our domestic animal survey, which set out to
gather data that will help us improve animal welfare and public health. This
was also the first survey of its kind in the country, and I want to thank our
staff members, other City departments and external partners who had a hand in
making it happen. We could not have done this without you. Also to the public
who participated - thank you for your contribution to this very important
issue,’’ said JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
Done By: Mitchum George
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