Location: TANZANIA - Islands of Zanzibar
Event: Awareness Day for Schoolchildren
Hosted by: Zanzibar Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ZSPCA)

Due to Muslim Ramadan celebrations, it was necessary for us to postpone our celebration of World Animal Day.

HUMANE EDUCATION

Meetings with donkey keepers - This activity gave us the opportunity to educate donkey keepers and train them in the basic care of their donkey, with a focus on disease prevention. This preliminary meeting has opened the door and we can now build a relationship with them for the benefit of their animals. We took this oppportunity to discuss our planned competition to celebrate WAD 2009.

We also gave a separate tolk to a Donkey Keeping Club with 18 members.

With medicine we received from WVC in the UK, we were also able to treat 11 of the donkeys: open wounds, tick infestations and de-wormed them.

Humane Education Classes in Schools - The classes were held in three different schools that have Kindness Clubs: Ndijani Primary School, Kibele Primary School and Unguja Ukuu Secondary School. In each class 30 students attended making a total of 90 students. In each class session we first discussed the meaning of World Animal Day and why it's celebrated in countries throughout the globe. We then went on to educate the students about a number of different animal welfare issues. In each session there was a strong focus on responsible pet ownership.

Educating Chicken Vendors at Mwanakwerekwe General Market - This activity enabled us to explain to vendors how they should be handling the chickens to avoid injuring them. It was a very rewarding exercise as most of the people we spoke with were very interested and promised they would follow the directions we gave them.

In addition, we agreed to find sponsorship to build a special shelter for the chicken vendors that would provide cover in the rainy season and shade on hot sunny days. This will be achieved with the support of Zanzibar Municipal Council who own the market.

CLEANING KINAZINI MANGROVE SWAMP

We participated in cleaning the area of Kinazini Mangrove because it disturbs the ecosystem and living organisms which are found in the mangrove. Unfortunately, the area is used as a dump for household rubbish - despite being illegal. With the help and support of Zanzibar Municipal Council, we successfully cleaned up the area removing 7 tons of rubbish!

In closing, I would like to add that the Government radio and newspaper included coverage of our World Animal Day activities and have promised to help us with celebrations in 2009 and also give coverage to all our animal-related activities. Ali A Juma, Zanzibar WAD Ambassador & Director of ZSPCA

Location: CAMEROON
Event: Gala Night Celebration/Prayer Services/Humane Education
Hosted by: Foundation for Animal Welfare in Cameroon - FAWCAM

The commemoration and celebration of World Animal Day in Cameroon has been an annual event since 2005, particularly in the city of Bamenda. This has been made possible by the creation of FAWCAM with its Head Office in Bamenda. Celebrations this year were not as elaborate as in previous years due to limited financial resources. However, the activities that took place from 1st to 10th October were performed with alacrity and with the seriousness that it deserved. The theme chosen this year was 'Let's Care For Our Animals'.

Media - In the lead up to World Animal Day, many press releases were sent out and radio interviews were undertaken. This helped greatly to raise public awareness of World Animal Day and encourage animal lovers to get involved in celebrating the day in Cameroon. These exercises were very successful and the echoes from the public were very revealing.
Image: FAWCAM CEO (centre) with Board Members and a journalist discussing World Animal Day.

World Animal Day - On World Animal Day itself, we organised a fabulous Gala Night which took place at our Cultural Hall in the Ntaw Mankon. We were also able to raise much-need funds by placing three baskets in the church - one for men, a second for women and the third for youths. It was like a competition with each basket being counted and the amount published. The men took the lead making it appear that Cameroonian men love animals more than the women and the youths! World Animal Day was also declared a day of rest for working animals - mainly donkeys and horses.

Prayer Services - A Holy Mass was celebrated in the Catholic Church Alaakuma asking God to bless Cameroonians and make them responsible pet owners and to treat all their animals humanely. A special prayer service was also made in the Pentecostal Church Small Mankom.

Groups and Schools - Talks on animal care were delivered at three schools in the Bamenda and to a number of groups.

Veterinary Clinic - The vaccination and treatment of dogs in our clinic was intensified and people were encouraged to treat their animals and ensure that their dogs are vaccinated against rabies.

The celebration was rounded up with light refreshments at FAWCAM Head Office in Bamenda.

Location: MAURITIUS
Event: Adoption Day / Drawing Competition / Sale/ Silent Walk /Tea Party
Hosted by: Protection of Animals Welfare Society (PAWS)

This year, PAWS celebrated World Animal Day by organising an Adoption Day for rescued dogs and cats, a Drawing Competition, a Sale of PAWS merchandise at Le Plaza, in collaboration with the Municipality of Beau Bassin / Rose Hill and a huge Tea Party.

Mr Ramalingum Maistry, the Mayor of Beau Bassin / Rose Hill honored us with his presence and we had good media coverage on local Radio and TV.

We were delighted that our Adoption Day found new loving and caring homes for 19 dogs and 4 cats.
Image: 2 dogs seeking new loving and caring homes on Adoption Day.

The Drawing Competition was divided into 3 categories: 7-9 years, 10-13 years, and 14-17 years and the theme was ‘I love my pet, I meet its needs’. The winners received beautiful prizes from PAWS sponsors, including catamaran cruises, dinner in 5 star hotels, free entry to adventure parks, T shirts and Pedigree Pet Food.

Unfortunately, this year celebrations were tainted by a general sense of anger and disgust due to the animal torture and abuse cases that PAWS had uncovered in the lead up to October: dogs being tortured and beaten to death, a horse being slaughtered in an inhumane way just for fun (a video clip of this crime was posted on U-tube), dogs being stolen for pit fights, dogs being kept in unacceptable conditions in pet shops. We organised radio programmes to expose cruelty to animals and, since then, the positive outcome of all those sad stories is that people all over Mauritius are now calling PAWS to tell us about cases of animal abuse.

PAWS also encouraged everyone in Mauritius who cares about animals to show their love by holding a Tea Party during the week from 4 - 11 October, at their home, place of work, club, place of worship, school or anywhere else they can think of.  As the party would last all week, we called it: The Biggest and Longest Tea Party in Mauritius. Animal Lovers were requested to make or buy some cakes and biscuits, invite friends, neighbors & family to join them, make some tea, sit round together and discuss about how they can make Mauritius better for animals. Every guest was asked to make a donation to PAWS.

On Saturday 11 October, we closed our week of events with a Silent Walk to proclaim our love and respect for animals, and also to express our grief at the horrible way the horse “Mythical Man” died.Roxane Marin, PR/Communications & Vice-President, Protection of Animals Welfare Society (PAWS).

Location: ETHIOPIA - Addis Ababa
Event: Children's Awareness Day
Hosted by: Society of Animal Welfare (SAW)

World Animal Day was celebrated on October 4, 2008 at Abyot Primary School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The main participants of the celebration were schoolchildren organized into Animal Kindness/Nature clubs by the Society of Animal Welfare (SAW). Sixty club members marked the event by wearing special T-shirts (image) and carried large banners while they marched within and around the school compound to signify the importance of the day to invited guests and passers by.

As well as the march, speeches were made by school administrators and members of SAW. Four students, who won an essay competition we organised, read what they had prepared for the occasion and received their prizes from SAW.

There were also some posters, photographs and slogans displayed. The slogan which attracted the most attention from visitors was the call for the United Nations to prepare a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare.   Tekelye Bekele, SAW-Ethiopia

Location: MOROCCO
Events: Awareness Campaign
Hosted by: Association Gestion integrée des Ressources (AGIR)

Our World Animal Day campaign 2008 was based upon communication with the mass-media: newspapers, national and local radio interviews, and large banners across city streets. The subjects we focused upon was the attitude and behaviour of the general public towards animals. A large majority of people think that to be in charge of animals is a luxury of society. Image: Nibani Houssine, Président AGIR and Morocco's World Animal Day Ambassador, giving a lecture to raise awareness of animal welfare issues in Morocco.

The message in the campaign is to stop these tendencies. Government officials with responsibility for animals were made aware of the following:

• The number of stray animals wandering our streets and becoming victims of traffic accidents is enough to tell you that it's time to act;
• We need to improve our stray animal adoption programme; dogs are still not accepted in our houses with some exceptions;
• On a national scale, organizations, groups, shelters for animals, places of worship, schools, clubs and individuals celebrated World Animal Day - for example: “NGO” Atfale in Rabat, AGIR and Ayouma in Al Hoceima;
• Were invited to join animal advocates throughout the world by participating in World Animal Day celebrations. So associations prepared programs of sensitization of the public notably for the conflict against the maltreatment of donkeys, which are used as means of transport in pitiful conditions;
• Actions also aimed at increasing respect for wild animals in their natural environment (forests, reservations, etc);
• We made an appeal to the various State Ministries (Education, Environment, Agriculture) to join forces and become involved in creating operational tools to help spread our messages and encourage involvement in schools, administrations of animal husbandry, zoos and nature parks;
• The  SPANA Association has participated strongly in the sensitization in animal protection in Morocco. This organization makes available its ten regional centres of the public (Rabat, Marrakech, Khémisset, Khénifra, Midelt, Chémaia, Had Ouled Frej, Tangier and Casablanca). They are equipped for consultations, treatments and hospitalization of Equidaes, dogs and cats and offer free services for the animals including promoting responsible pet ownership and the sterilzation of pet dogs and cats. Also, these centres provide educational days for school groups.
• The strongest message sent was against the slaughter of stray animals.
• The campaign for the vaccination of stray animals was the biggest focus and to develop large scale programs with the Agriculture ministry to address this grave problem.
• A campaign to increase driver awareness of nocturnal animals crossing roads, for example hedgehogs.
• The disappearing of the endangered animals as the driftnet prohibited at worldwide level and who continue killing thousands of dolphins and of whales.
• Also to combat the illegal sale and overseas trafficking of Morocco's endemic species.

  NIBANI Houssine, Président AGIR and Morocco's World Animal Day Ambassador.

Location: GHANA
Events: Awareness Campaign and Education
Hosted by: Society for the Welfare of Animals / Dodowa & Nkwanta Kindness Clubs

The 2008 World Animal Day celebration in Ghana began on Tuesday, 23rd September, 2008. Members of the Society for the welfare of Animals – Ghana (SWAGH), Dodowa Kindness Club (DKC) and the Nkwanta Kindness Clubs met to discuss issues of animal rights and welfare in Ghana, the progress we have made and to plan our strategy for the future. Image: A group of schoolchildren listen to Gabriel as he talks to them about animal welfare issues in Ghana.  

The celebration continued on 24th September with an Animal Welfare and Rights forum in Dodowa, Dangme West District of the Greater Accra Region. In attendance was a representative of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Shai Osudoku Constituency, an Assembly man from an area in Dodowa, the District Coordinating Director of the Dangme West District Assembly, teachers from basic and senior high schools, students from various basic and senior high schools, pastors from some churches, members of the general public and representatives from the following organizations: Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission of Ghana; The animal Production Unit of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA); The Animal Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Ghana; The Dangme West District Education Office of the Ghana Education Service (GES);The Dangme West District MOFA office;The Dangme District Assembly; Heifer, Ghana.

Our World Animal Day programme continued on the 29th and 30th of September when we visited seven schools in the Dangme West District of the Greater Accra Region: Ghanata Senior Secondary School, Dodowa; Shai D/A Junior High School, Dodowa; New Town Junior High School, Dodowa; Methodist Junior High School, Dodowa; New Town D/A primary School, Dodowa; Presby Primary School, Dodowa; Methodist Primary, Dodowa.

The celebration in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana was brought to an end on the 30th of September, 2008 with members of the Dodowa Kindness club, Nkwanta Kindness Clubs and Society for the welfare of Animals, Ghana.

On the 1st of October, members of the Dodowa Kindness club, Society for the welfare of Animals-Ghana and Nkwanta Kindness Clubs joined us to celebrate in the Nkwanta District in the Volta Region of Accra. On the 2nd October all the animal advocates attended a special conference. Celebrations continued on the 3rd of October with a forum on Animal Welfare and Rights in Ghana with the following additional representatives in attendance: The district Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission of Ghana; The Nkwanta South District Education Office of the Ghana Education Service; The Nkwanta South District Ministry of Food and Agriculture office; Ghana Education Project Office; Women And Development Empowerment Project; Nkwanta South District World Vision International Office; Lawyer JJT’s legal Chambers; plus teachers and members of the public.
 
On World Animal Day, a team of SWAGH members visited the Nkwanta SDA church. On 5th October we visited 11 churches in the Nkwanta District where we were able to speak at 9 and we were invited to speak at the other 3 at a later date. The churches visited: Full Gospel Church International; Jehovah's Witness; Roman Catholic Church; Roman Catholic Church, 1st Assembly; Roman Catholic Church, 2nd Assembly; Pentecost Church; Pentecost Church, 1st  Assembly; Pentecost Church, 2nd  Assembly; Church of Christ; Ghana Mennonite Church; Great Commission Church; Ghana Presbytarian Church; New Apostolic Church; Narrow Gate Church; Deeper Life Church. On the 6th of October, we visited four Schools in the Nkwanta District: Nkwanta Senior High School; Adom Model School; Nkwanta L/A primary A school; Nkwanta L /A Primary B School.

On the 7th of October, we visited a pig farm where we bathed all the pigs on the farm which they throroughly enjoyed. We also spoke with the pig farmer about the welfare needs of his pigs. We also attended to the welfare needs of some rabbits.

We brought our World Animal Day celebrations to a close on the 8th of October with a visit to 5 more schools: Nkwanta E.P Junior High School; Nkwanta E.P Primary School; St. Theresa’s R.C Junior High School; St. Theresa’s R.C Primary School; Nkwanta L/A Junior High School.

All our hard work, energy, time, money and other resources helped make our celebrations a huge success and we achieved our goal of making World Animal Day in Ghana hugely significant. We successfully relayed our campaign message on animal welfare to over 20,000 people in Ghana.

Click here to read article, 'Do Animals Have Rights?', circulated in all communities during World Animal Day celebrations.

Click here to read World Animal Day speech by Ghana's Ambassador to World Animal Day

Martin M Ujakpa, Ghana's World Animal Day Ambassador.

Location: TANZANIA - Dar es Salaam
Events: Exhibition/Animal Treatment Camps/Cleaning Livestock Markets/Humane Education/Talk Show/Press Conference
Hosted by: TSPCA/Animal Welfare Desk/WAD Ambassador/Ministry of Livestock Development & Fisheries

The United Republic of Tanzania comprises of Tanzania Mainland and the Islands of Zanzibar. On non-union matters, as per the Articles of the Union entered into force in 1964 and reviewed from time to time, the two parts of the Union operate independently but can collaborate and interact in particular when it comes to international relation issues. Animal Industry issues – livestock, wildlife and fisheries are non-union matters as are animal welfare issues and are coordinated independently.

Tanzania Mainland celebrated World Animal Day under the coordination of the Tanzania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA), involvement of Tanzania Animal Protection Organization (TAPO), Dar es Salaam Animal Haven (DAH), new comer Tanzania Society for Animal Welfare (TAWESO), Sea Sense and Roots and Shoots. The World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA) Africa Region Office and our Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries provided logistic, financial, moral and material support. The events were preceded by observation of World Rabies Day on the 28th September and the D-Day itself was somehow watered down by the Eid el Fitrl celebrations (Muslim Holiday after the end of Ramadhan). The Minister for Livestock Development and Fisheries gave a Press Statement drawing public attention to World Animal Day and this was published on the 3rd October in two Dailies - The Guardian & Mwananchi Newspapers.

Animal Welfare Advocacy groups were in the forefront this year as anticipated, and wished to be so in the future. TSPCA the oldest and much organized animal welfare body with its own landed property in Dar es Salaam was given the task to coordinate the national event involving and collaborating with the others mentioned above.

The World Animal Day events prominently observed in Dar es Salaam were TSPCA, TAWESO, DAH, Sea Sense and Roots and Shoots organized treatment camps, humane education in primary and secondary schools, animal welfare public awareness campaigns in local markets (see image taken at Kinondoni Market), in particular poultry markets, and cleaning of local market premises. TAPO went to Shinyanga where it has a strong base and its activities emphasized more on Donkey Care & Husbandry to reduce avoidable suffering. Dr Mohammed Bahari, WAD Ambassador for Tanzania Mainland.

Click here to read the WAD statement made by Dr Bahari to the press [pdf]

Click here to read the WAD statement made by The Minister for Livestock Development and Fisheries, the Hon. John P Magufuli MP [pdf]

Location: GHANA - Accra
Event: Rabies Clinic
Hosted by: Ghana SPCA

For World Animal Day, the Ghana Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (GSPCA) held a Rabies Clinic at the market in Accra where puppies are sold.  While the GSPCA does not promote the sale of puppies at the market, there is no animal shelter in Accra from which to adopt dogs—the market is the main place where people go to get puppies.  Also, because the majority of people are so poor, and there are so few opportunities in Accra, selling puppies has become a money-making enterprise.  The GSPCA believes that the puppy market can provide healthy, happy puppies; that people will be willing to pay more for puppies that are healthy; and that this will be an incentive to continue to improve conditions for the puppies at the market.      

The GSPCA has a long history of working with the puppy market vendors.  At first, GSPCA members visited the market to make contacts, build trust, and then to help the vendors improve the care of their puppies. Approximately three years ago, WSPA awarded a grant to the GSPCA to continue to work with the vendors to improve conditions at the puppy market, mainly through training.  That grant was completed about two years ago, and the GSPCA has continued to work with the puppy market vendors.

Two GSPCA members, David Nyoagbe (GSPCA President) and Amasaba Abdul-Yakeen Aluizah, organized the event for World Animal Day 2008.  They visited the puppy market to alert vendors of the rabies campaign.  They notified the media about the event.  Accra’s media outlets have always been very supportive of the GSPCA and past World Animal Day events, and they didn’t disappoint this time.  Print, radio, and TV stations were there to report on the event.  Dr Senyo from the Madina Vet Clinic (Accra) gave the dogs the rabies vaccinations.  Some puppies needed medical attention, for example, for ear mites, ticks, and worms.  Dr Senyo was able to provide advice and check-ups for many of the puppies.  A total of approximately 40 rabies vaccinations were given on World Animal Day to start these puppies’ lives off on the right paw! Report written by Karen Menczer, GSPCA.    

Location: KENYA - Mombasa
Event: Fun-filled Animal Welfare Education
Hosted by: Kenya Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (KSPCA)

Our preparations for celebrating World Animal Day started several weeks prior to the 4th October and involved preparing and distributing posters and fliers as well as inviting Kenya Government Officials.

About 500 students and their 10 teachers, and 50 villagers joined us to celebrate this year’s World Animal Day. Also, we were delighted to welcome several Government officials including the Area Vet, Area Chief and his Assistants. Image: School Choir

Our function was held from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm at the Mtepeni Primary School Grounds in Mombasa. During the morning we organised several educational entertainment sessions such as: Poems, choirs-songs, theatrical plays and acrobats. All our entertaiment incorporated a strong animal welfare message.

Speeches were then made by our guests from the government and, in summary, all of them encouraged everybody to protect and care for animals.

In the afternoon, we held a 'Question and Answer' session when animal welfare questions were asked and instant prizes were given to everyone who answered correctly. The questions were split into two groups - one set for the schoolchildren and another set for the adults. It was a very lively and exciting afternoon!

Generally, our World Animal Day celebration in Mombasa focused on making Animal Welfare Education fun for everyone - and it was! By the end of the day, everyone was filled with joy and promised to take great care of their animals. It was a very worthwhile celebration indeed!!

Location: SOUTH AFRICA, Cape Town
Event: Awareness Campaign in the Winelands of the Western Cape
Hosted by: Winelands SPCA

Winelands SPCA works over a very large area of the Winelands of the Western Cape, including the semi desert Little Karoo.  Our World Animal Day promotions took place in the town of Robertson, described as being in the valley of wine and roses, and in Montagu, gateway to the Little Karoo.

We had a stand at the Robertson Spring Agricultural Show, where we laid out a table of confiscated chains with pictures attached of the dogs, also confiscated, who had been confined by these chains (image right).  Sadly the chaining of dogs, to prevent them wandering over farmlands and becoming “a nuisance”, is all too prevalent.  A dog can spend years like this, standing out in all weathers, unable to escape the searing heat of summer or the biting cold of winter, without access to water or food.  It is impossible to find and save all such suffering animals, as farms are remote, but we are getting more and more members of the public to report this cruelty and we hope our stand brought home to people the vital importance of being the SPCA’s eyes and ears.

At the same time we promoted World Animal Day at the weekly Montagu Park Market.  This market takes place every Saturday, selling local produce and crafts, and our weekly stand raises funds and promotes our work.  Here a number of soft toy animals were tied to stall holders tables, to represent the chains.  The children were asked to find and rescue the toy, rebuke the stall holder, and return the toy to the safety of its basket.  The reward? A large, gooey cup cake, and hopefully a small seed planted in a young mind.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of this Very Important Day. From Sarah Ford, Chairman, Winelands SPCA

Location: EGYPT
Event: Animals Have Rights Too!
Hosted by: AWAR (Animal Welfare Awareness Research) - A group of Egyptian Animal Welfare organizations.

Hello my friends from all countries. Saturday 4th of October was a great day. We celebrated World Animal Day at Cairo Zoo where we held an Awareness Day with entertainment and competitions for the children. AWAR Group: Society for the Protection of Animal Rights in Egypt (SPARE); Egyptian Society for Mercy for Animals; Egyptian Mau (cat) Rescue Organization (EMRO); Egyptian Society of Animal Friends; Animal Haven; Touch of Life. We were joined by other animal welfare organisations including EWC (Egypt Wildlife Conservation) and, with the help of many volunteers including students from MSA University, we all educated the public talking to parents and their children and handing out leaflets. Mr Wael Shohdi, Zoologist and EWC Co-ordinator, gave a lecture about conservation and wildlife in Egypt. It was very rewarding to see all the groups working together for the love of animals. Image: The World Animal Day banner greeted visitors at the main entrance to Cairo Zoo.

We were lucky enough to gain the support of Coca Cola, private vets and a number of animal welfare organisations who all helped to sponsor the event. We held a children's animal drawing competition and a wildlife quiz with the winners receiving a nice present and a can of coca cola. We were delighted that the Alam Semsem puppets - a famous group that kids adore - agreed to put on a beautiful show about animals without charge. The children were so happy to dance and sing with them. I have never seen such happy children they couldn't believe that their beloved group was giving a show in the zoo and that they were seeing them live! It was Mrs Dina Zulfikar, the Egyptian Animal Welfare Organizations Coordinator (AWAR), who invited "Semsem World" and it was she who made the day such a huge success. She worked very hard and spent many days at the Zoo organising the event paying great attention to every details. Dina is a perfectionist and wants everything to be more than perfect, and it was.

Many newspapers covered the event, the main Egyptian newspaper "Al Ahram" covered the event on the front page of it's 5th October edition. Also, there was a large article in a very popular newspaper called "Al Masry Al yom" which included a full page interview with me about World Animal Day, my appointment as Egypt's World Animal Day Ambassador and all the problems we have in Egypt concerning Animal Welfare.

We thank the Cairo zoo administration for sharing this day with us and giving us the opportunity to deliver our message in one of the most popular family outing destinations in Egypt. Our thanks goes to Dr Nabil Sedky, President of the zoo, and Dr Hatem Kamal, General Manager of the zoo. The Egyptian Animal Welfare Organizations who worked and shared in the event were: EWC (Egypt Wildlife Conservation, Donkey Sanctuary, Animal Friends, AWARE, Animal Haven, Awar, SPARE, ESMA, and Magda Ahmed (Egyptian Animal advocate). The vets who gave us financial support to ensure the success of this event were: Dr Rafik Nashed Helmy, Dr Amir Michael; Dr Mohamed Hegab; Dr Nour Hashish and Dr Islam Shalaby. Considering this was our first year celebrating World Animal Day, we are very pleased with the result. Amina Abaza, Egyptian World Animal Day Ambassador and President of SPARE.

Location: SOUTH AFRICA
Event: Children's Awareness Day
Hosted by: Yolanda Wessels - Animal Advocate

I arranged the following with all pre-primary schools in our town: Teachers will give an animal picture to each child to colour in as well as conduct a lesson to enforce the message that all animals deserve love and respect.  I am sponsering a lollipop with an animal picture for all the children who participate.  This is a small gesture to begin awareness at a young age. Kind regards, Yolanda.

Location: NIGERIA - Lagos
Event: Award Ceremony +
Hosted by: Giverlia E-Pet Awareness

In the lead up to World Animal Day: we held several animal welfare awareness seminars, organised pet welfare talks at three secondary schools, gained the support of several notable musicians, conducted a media campaign on repsonsible pet ownership, visited animal breeding establishments and worked alongside other animal-related organisations in our country to raise awareness of World Animal day.

We began our World Animal Day celebrations on 29th September when we were interviewed on one of our local TV stations which gave us the opportunity to raise awareness of World Animal Day in Nigeria and talk about ways to celebrate the occasion. On day two we visited one of Nigeria's Zoos to look at welfare standards. On the third day we held an award ceremony to officially recognise animal owners that maintain high welfare standards. Each winner also received a prize of a World Animal Day umbrella! And it doesn't end with World Animal Day ...... we have many programmes lined up before the end of the year. Steve Idowu Omoarukhe, Giverlia E-pet Awareness and Nigeria's Ambassador to World Animal Day.
Image: Award Ceremony recognises good animal welfare standards.

Location: Mauritius, Island of
Event: Silent Protest Walk
Hosted by: Protection of Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

On Saturday 11 October we had our Silent Protest Walk in Port Louis. We walked in silence as planned and all went well thanks to the good organisation of the police escort. We were honored that Mr Fritz Thomas, the Mayor of Port Louis, joined our group as this sends a strong signal of hope to us all. If the Authorities take their part of responsibility in this cause then everything will be much easier.

Location: Mauritius, Island of
Event: Adoption Day
Hosted by: Protection of Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

It was a lovely sunny day in Rose Hill where we held an Adoption Day at Le Plaza. Mr Ramalingum Maistry, the Mayor of Beau Bassin, Rose Hill, honored us by his presence and we had good media coverage on MBC Radio and Radio Plus. We were delighted that 19 Dogs and 4 Cats found new loving, forever homes!

Location: SOUTH AFRICA - Cape Town (Noordhoek, Masiphumelele, Mountain View, Redhill, De Gama Park, Ocean View)
Event: Spayathon
Hosted by: TEARS (The Emma Animal Rescue Society)

On World Animal Day, TEARS held a spirited successful SPAYATHON!  This SPAYATHON targeted specific economically disadvantaged communities like Ocean View, Mountain View, Redhill, Da Gama Park and Masiphumelele, with the offer of sterilizing their animals for free!  The objectives with this particular campaign were the following: To promote the ethical treatment of animals, To maintain and sustain healthy animals in the area, To create an awareness of the need to sterilize and to prevent the spread of diseases and overpopulation in domestic animals. With the help of volunteers from all walks of life 85 animals were spayed and delivered safely back to their owners.  Sylvia Shortreed the accomplished resident vet at TEARS said:"A big thank you must be extended to the ten vets in and around the area who gave up their time and energy free of charge to make the world a better place for the animals in and around the Noordhoek area.  We also had competent veterinary nursing staff who aided the successful anaesthetics."  The day ran like a well oiled machine thanks to the logistical planning of our new operations manager, Anel Wesson.  Anel has had ten years corporate experience in England, and she brought these polished skills to the event. As a result of this fine planning, the animals were the real winners of the day.

TEARS provided free pick ups for the owners and their animals at the various mobile clinic points.  A big thank you to PUPP and the SPCA for their assistance in this regard.  Upon registration all the responsible pet owners received free pet food.  TEARS prides itself on leading by example, the organization and the people that serve it live by the mantra: you are what you do.  Looking back, it was the best possible way to celebrate World Animal Day, working together for the common goal of improving the lives of sentient beings! We are all geared up for next year! Leigh-Anne Louw
PR and fundraising. Email: leigh@tears.org.za

Location: TUNISIA - Tunis
Event: Animal Welfare Lectures / Journée Mondiale de Bien-Être Animal
Hosted by: SPANA Tunisia

About one month before ‘the big day’ it was agreed that Dr Abrougui would organise a special series of lectures for veterinary students at the Veterinary School in Sidi Thabet, close to Tunis.  Veterinary residents and professors, as well as students, were invited to attend. 

On the day, numerous representatives of the media as well as the ‘Agence Tunis Afrique Presse’ were present.  Several radio stations covered the event by interviewing Drs Souilem and Abrougui, two of the lecturers taking part.  They explained the background to the event and the importance of animal welfare, both on an ethical and moral level, to veterinary science.  Both lectures were followed by an interesting debate.  It was then decided, after a proposition from the participants, to hold a similar event each year in remembrance of World Animal Day and, to organise more events in other places throughout the country.

This is the programme that was organised by our Director, Dr Mohammed Abrougui, to celebrate World Animal Day in Tunisia.  It took place during the morning, on Saturday 4th October.  The Programme took the form of a series of lectures, open to all students studying at the Veterinary School at Tunis University, situated at Sidi Thabet. 

The programme:

10.30 – 10.45    Registration and welcome to all participants by:
Pr Jemlimh (Dean of the Vet. Faculty) and Dr Abrougui (President of the ATPNE - Association Tunisien for the Protection of Nature and the Environment.)

10.45 – 11.00    Animal welfare: an overview of the concept - Pr. Souilem

11.00 – 11.15    SPANA’s project in Tunisia - Dr Abrougui

11.15 – 11.30    Emergency activities for animals and their protection -  Dr Mansour Raoudha (Director of SOS Animals, Nabeul)

11.30 – 12.00    Debate and discussion chaired by Drs Chachoub and Ouaali.

12.00                Closure

Location: ETHIOPIA - Debra Zeit
Event: Schoolchildren's Awareness Day
Hosted by: SPANA Ethiopia

It was thought probable that this celebration of World Animal Day was the first major event of its kind in Ethiopia.  It was held at the Ken Hora School, a primary school in the town of Debre Zeit.  All the children between grades 1 and 8 took part … over 1000 children altogether.  The programme had been prepared by an active member of the school staff and Pr Feseha Gebreab, SPANA’s director in Ethiopia, and all the members of SPANA’s team participated. 

After the introductory speeches by the Director of the school and Pr Feseha, several children took part in poetry readings and there was a display of animal pictures about the plight of donkeys, horses, dogs and wild animals in Ethiopia.  As a conclusion, speeches were made by children who took on the role of two animals working in the local community … a donkey and a cart horse.  Both told tales of woe and misery, but explained how much their lives had improved thanks to SPANA’s veterinary team who looked after them and gave them good treatment and health care. 

The day ended with a prize giving for the best pictures and performances, and the lucky prize winners took home school bags, small radios and dictionaries.

Location: MOROCCO
Event: Animal Experience for Special Needs Children
Hosted by: SPANA Morocco

We have been celebrating World Animal Day since 4th October 2006, and this year has been no exception.  Eight of our nine Animal Centres (in Rabat, Marrakech, Khemisset, Khenifra, Midelt, Chemaia (image), Had Ouled Frej and Tanger) hosted special events based on the therapeutic effect of animals for people with special needs. 

Each Centre teamed up with local organisations that support handicapped children.   The aim of the day was to give children the experience of seeing and touching animals at first hand. 

Taking health and safety into account, instructions and demonstrations were given on the correct way to approach and handle animals and, carefully supervised by the team of adults who accompanied the children, they then had wonderful experiences patting dogs, stroking cats and even riding on the backs of donkeys.  At the end of the visit, animal stories and activities were distributed for the children to take home to remind them of the enjoyable day they had had with the animals.

In Khenifra 14 of the participants were retired adults who were also handicapped in some way and, like the children, the animals provided them with a great number of pleasurable experiences. 

Letters of thanks have been pouring into SPANA’s office, from the carers, teachers and children, reiterating their gratitude for such a positive and enjoyable experience for all concerned. Hamid, SPANA Morocco. 

IMAGE GALLERY
Selected additional images of events that took place in Africa in 2008