Location: London
Event: Tiramisu - World Animal Day Concert
Organiser: Alexandra Carter |
| As a vegetarian animal-lover and a singer, I wondered how I could benefit animals through singing. This year I was delighted to have the opportunity to raise money for Naturewatch Foundation on World Animal Day. It was an honour to promote the work that is already being done to help animals by organisations such as Naturewatch Foundation through a concert.
Never having organised my own charity concert before, I realised what a great deal of work there is to be done, but luckily for me, Eileen-Digby Rogers from Christ Church and Dawn Lewis from Naturewatch were instrumental in helping to guide me through the necessary steps. Explosion Entertainments were also vital as they first put me in touch with Eileen, and Liz Dew, life coach and PR expert, helped me keep the momentum going.
We looked at ways of spoiling the audience so that the evening was a real indulgence, and we included vegan wine, nibbles from Bute Island Foods, and animal friendly luxuries for the goodie bags and raffle prizes from Bourgeois Boheme, No Cows, Bath Potions, Yaoh, and Skincare Cafe. I am also an Indian Head Massage therapist and guests were given a voucher for a free mini massage.
On the night, although a lot of local people had registered their interest, we were all crossing our fingers that an audience would materialise! They did, and we had a warm reception from them for our performance of opera, classical and lighter jazz numbers. It was a lovely occasion on the 4th October and the animal prayer was read out by Eileen Digby-Rogers, of Christ Church, Gipsy Hill, kind hosts of the event.
We plan to hold another, bigger event next year so watch this space...
To view the mouth-watering programme for this event please click here (pdf) |
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Location: Dorset
Event: Week of Animal Related Activities
Organiser: Knighton House Prep School for Girls |
 At Knighton House, a service was held next to the 'Pet Shed', where the parish vicar, Mr Stephen Coulter, performed a service for all pets and animals who board with their mistresses at Knighton. He used an altar which had been made by pupils. To a guitar accompaniment, the children sang "He's got the whole world in His hands", with their pets held close. Mr. Coulter sprinkled blessed water over the creatures; after this, girls were able to seek individual blessings for their pets. Staff also brought their dogs and finally the horses were blessed too. Luckily the sun shone down warmly throughout and the whole service was beautiful.
In the preceding week a Pet Club was formed, in which the girls created a wall display and made wristbands and badges to wear on the day. Mufti dress was allowed with the proviso that there be an animal theme and a contribution of £1 towards the Dorset Wildlife Rescue, an organisation which was introduced to girls in Assembly.
A double celebration, of National Poetry Day meant that girls studied poetry with an animal theme in their English lessons. |
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Location: Southend On Sea
Events: Information and Awareness Stall
Organiser: Southend Animal Aid |
 Our World Animal Day stall went really well and we had a very postive response from the public with lots of people coming over to our stall to sign petitions and take leaflets on many animal welfare issues. We also had lots of stickers and badges which we handed out.
Two of our members dressed up as a Rabbit and a Fox and many children and people waved at them and wanted a hug from them!
We also had people donate animal pet food which will be donated to a local animal sanctuary.
Kind regards,
Lauren Hollas |
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Location: Leeds
Event: After School Club Arts and Crafts Session
Organiser: Natalie Tharraleos |
Our World Animal Day event was really sweet and the kids loved the balloons (available on resources page of website) and each child took one home....I could hear lots of parents asking about World Animal Day. We made cards with animal print stamps and cutters, and I gave out lots of fliers, and some children played a kind of animal bingo and we played some Whale music! The following day the children enjoyed an animal-themed quiz with prizes. |
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Location:
Event: Fundraising Animal-related Crafts
Organisers: Rainbow Guide Pack |
 To celebrate World Animal day and as part of their Roundabout Badge, our Rainbow Guide pack made squirrel fridge magnets, book marks and file holders to sell for £1 each. All the money raised is being donated to The National trust to help protect our red squirrels.
Sara Messenger on behalf of Squirrel, Mole, Fox & Wabbit!
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Location: Hampton Hargate, Peterborough
Event: Yoga Fundraising Day
Organiser: Santosha Yoga |
Santosha Yoga World Animal Day went really well and we were very pleased to be involved. We held 3 classes during the day during which we talked about how we care and look after animals, animal testing and cruelty free products - this created a real buzz amongst the students. A donation was made from class fees on World Animal Day and we raised £100 which was donated to a local animal resuce centre. Andrea |
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Location: London
Event: St Francis Storytelling in a Bedouin Tent
Organiser: St Ethelburgas Centre for Reconciliation and Peace |
| The story telling event to celebrate World Animal Day celebrated the life of St Francis of Assisi in a beautiful Bedouin style tent in the city of London. 'A Love Song to St Francis', we offered a moving tribute to this most beloved and enduring of Saints. A man who was transformed from an indulgent party lover and would be knight, to one whose heart burned with love of God and of his fellow men. We shared many delightful tales of the Friar of Assisi - friend of the animals, poet ascetic, healer, radical, mystic and joyous singer of nature. Told by Sarah Clive, accompanied by violin and birdsong.
Every good wish to all at your organisation. |
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Location: Hull
Event: Wildlife Display
Organiser: Hull City Council |
 The first World Animal Day event to be held in Hulls' Parks went really well. The lovely sunny weather drew well over 1000 people to the free event held in and around the Animal Education Centre in East Park, where they had hands on experiences with snakes, lizards, tortoises, and giant insects. Also making an appearance were some tarantulas, scorpions, and huntsman spiders. Other acitvities included: a bird watch around the park, mini-beast hunts, bird-feeder making, magical spelling, colouring and sticking. The Friends of East Park group had a tombola, raffle and bouncy castle, and there were educational displays around the main building. The resident animals and birds were also on display. Next year we are hoping to hold a week of activities leading up to the main day. Richard Brown, Wildlife Development Officer, Hull Parks and Gardens, Hull City Council. |
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Location: Papworth, Cambridgeshire
Event: Soft Toy Pet Show
Organiser: 1st Papworth Rainbows |
In celebration of World Animal Day, the 1st Papworth Rainbows from Cambridgeshire held a Soft Toy Pet Show during their meeting. They made rosettes and awarded prizes for: Most unusual Pet, Fastest Pet and owner, Best Name. Sam Baynes,
Rainbow Guider |
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Location: Leeds
Event: Open Day at Hope Pastures Horse & Donkey Sanctuary
Organisers: Hope Pastures & Leeds Veggies and Vegans |
Awaiting report about this event. |
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Location: Lewes, East Sussex
Event: Behind the Scenes Tours
Organisers: Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare |
Our World Animal Day event was received well. We advertised it in the local press as well as around the main centre. Leigh, Head of Small Animals, was in charge of the 'Behind the Scenes Tours' around the various sections – Small Animals, Aviaries, Cattery and Equine, where we showed visitors how we look after the animals.
The day started off slowly with only a few families arriving early but as the day went on there was a lot more interest and we had plenty of staff on stand by to help answer any questions about animal care and re-homing.
We also held one of our “Raystede Reports” that afternoon (a film of the work we do which is shown to the public every quarter), so this generated additional interest in the work we do at Raystede. Report submitted by Emma Pollitt, Office Administrator,
The Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare Raystede, Ringmer, East Sussex BN8 5AJ. Telephone: 01825 840252. Website: www.raystede.org
Email: admin@raystede.org Registered Charity No.237696 |
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Location: Towneley Hall, Burnley, Lancashire
Event: Mutt Strutt Plus
Organisers: Horses and Ponies Protection Assocation (HAPPA) |
 The Mutt Strutt Plus, a sponsored dog walk with a difference was held on Sunday 30th September 2007 in the grounds of Towneley Hall, Burnley.
The event was held to raise funds for the charity that has a base in Briercliffe in Burnley and is home to 65 horses, ponies and donkeys. Most of the animals we care for are rescued from lives of cruelty, neglect and/or abandonment, a few of the residents are retired police horses – whom HAPPA care for in the later years of their live after they have provided service to the police force and the public.
Our weekly costs to run the two rescue centres (the second is in Brockweir, Gwent) amounts to approximately £12,000 and we could not keep running without the support from the general public.
We are pleased to announce that the Mutt Strutt Plus was a great success with 43 people and the canines joining in the fun on the day; participating in the 5km walk with 6 checkpoints with fun challenges for both owner and dog along the way. All participants received a special rosette and the winner who collected most points along the way won a fabulous doggy hamper with great gifts donated by local businesses.
The weather held out for us and the walkers, and reports back from participants reveal that they can’t wait for the next HAPPA Mutt Strutt Plus.
We are still waiting for all the sponsor monies to come back but to date the funds raised stand at £1175.64 which is great news for HAPPA. Photo: Mutt Strutt Plus Winners |
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Location: Belfast & Various Locations Around Northern Ireland
Event: Awareness Campaign
Organisers: 7th Heaven Animal Rescue Trust |
 This year we once again celebrated World Animal Day by putting up various displays of animal welfare related literature throughout the country. These were located in Shankill Library, Belfast Central Library, the Odyssey, and the Wildfowl and Westlands Trust in Castle Espie (photo), Comber. Thanks to Julie Sherlock, one of our volunteers, we were also able to display literature in the Bank of Ireland in Belfast.
As well as our own newsletters, animal fact sheets and posters of animals that needed rehoming, we also invited other charities to send some of their literature to us. We were delighted with the responses, with charities and animal groups, in both Northern Ireland and mainland UK and worldwide, showing an interest. In doing this, we gave animal organisations the opportunity to promote themselves and the work they do to alleviate animal suffering, as well as giving their expertise in their own particular fields. In addition, two of our trustees visited a Vegetarian Road Show in Glasgow the week prior to World Animal Week and our newsletter was put on display. They brought back various leaflets relating to vegetarianism, vegan products and the cruelty associated with intensive farming methods to display at the World Animal Week events.
The organisations involved were Dogs Trust, Cats Protection, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Happy Hedgehog Rescue Centre, Second Chance, The Bat Group, The Wetlands and Wildfowl Trust, People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, League Against Cruel Sports, Assisi Animal Sanctuary, Talnotry Avian Care Trust wildlife centre, Blue Cross, National Animal Welfare Trust, Naturewatch, VIVA, Honesty beauty products, ANVIL, Twinkle Trust Animal Aid, Beanies Health Foods, Avocates for Animals and The World Society for the Protection of Animals.
It is always hard to judge the success of these events but if it has positively changed the way even one person thinks about animals then it has been worth it. The full event can be viewed at www.7thHeaven.org.uk (events update). If you are reading this and know of another location where we could put up a display in 2008 then please contact us via email: animalrescuetrust@hotmail.com |
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Location: Doncaster, Yorkshire
Event: Animal Blessing Service
Organisers: St Peter in Chains |
 Once again the service at St Peter in Chains was enjoyed by many. It was taken by Fr Stoker who welcomed each animal and bird, and took all their names. He spoke of how, until he came to his new parish, he had never really come into close contact with animals and had never seen how much good animals and birds did for old and young people, and how much they meant to individuals and families. He had seen how animals brought people together in friendship, and the sacrifices people make for the sake of their pets, like one elderly parishioner who gave up a last trip to Ireland so that his dog could have an operation. We thanked God for all creatures, great and small, and Father blessed them all by name individually and aske for blessings on all animals in distress. Nancy Tomlinson.
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IMAGE GALLERY
Selected additional images of events that took place in the UK in 2007 |
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