'I am delighted that Naturewatch is encouraging people to celebrate this day, and wish you every success in promoting these celebrations. I especially hope that schools across the country get involved in what is a great opportunity for children to learn more about the wonderful diversity of animal life in our country and across the world.

I will certainly tell as many people as I can about the website, and look forward to hearing more about what is being planned. Of course if there is anything else I can do to help, please let me know.'
Lord Jones of Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat Peer (former MP for Cheltenham)

'...There is still a lot of work still to be done to improve animal welfare and hopefully World Animal Day will help to raise awareness of the harm that we do to animals and educate people in how we can make further improvements.' Click here to see full letter of support.
Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes

'World Animal Day can be a valuable focus for the well-being of domestic pets, food and farm animals, animals in their natural environment and for the welfare of animals used in experiments.'
Peter Bottomley, Conservative MP for Worthing West

'I cannot adequately express how strongly I feel the need to celebrate World Animal Day and I pledge my total support.'
The Late Tony Banks, ex Labour MP for West Ham and latterly Lord Stratford

'I am very pleased to support World Animal Day. The measure of a decent society is how we treat our animals. It is vital that we make much greater effort to protect and sustain animals and that we pass legislation to ensure their well-being.'
David Drew, Labour MP for Stroud

'I am delighted to be able to support World Animal Day on the 4th October 2003 and would urge everyone who has any interest at all in animals and their welfare to join in with this most important day of celebration, which should not only raise awareness of this vital issue, but also be fun!'
Roger Gale, Conservative MP for North Thanet and Herne Bay

'As a keen animal lover I welcome this excellent idea and congratulate Naturewatch on your work to highlight animal welfare issues in this way and in the launch of the World Animal Day website. I wish the project every possible success.'
Ann Widdecombe, Conservative MP for Maidstone and the Weald

'I am delighted to support the aims of World Animal Day to highlight animal welfare issues. This is indeed a wonderful opportunity for everyone concerned about animal welfare to participate in activities and events to celebrate our love and respect for all animals.

It is fitting that the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals, should be used to promote animal welfare issues and fundraising events throughout the world.

I hope that there will be many events in the Forest of Dean on World Animal Day and will be pleased to give any assistance I can to promote these events.'
Diana Organ, former Labour MP for the Forest of Dean

'I enthusiastically support World Animal Day. As Vice-President of the European Parliament's animal welfare committee, I think it is a great idea to dedicate a day to celebrating the animal world. I am passionate about the wellbeing of animals, both those in the wild and those cruelly experimented upon. I believe that World Animal Day can be a platform for raising animal welfare up the agenda. Please do let me know of events that are taking place in the South-East of England.'
Caroline Lucas, Green MEP for South-East UK

'As an active supporter of animal rights, especially the protection of endangered species, I will support World Animal Day on 4 October.'
John D. McWilliam, former Labour MP for Blaydon

'This is a great initiative and one I'm very pleased to support. The welfare of animals is a key concern for me and for many of my London constituents. World Animal Day will help put animal welfare higher up the political agenda. I congratulate Naturewatch on this event and look forward to working with them in the future.'
Theresa Villiers, Conservative MP for Chipping Barnet and Shadow Secretary of State for Transport

'I am delighted to lend my support to World Animal Day. As a Member of the European Parliament, my mailbag regularly contains letters from constituents, keen to ensure that animals are treated with the humanity and care they deserve. A world day to highlight these concerns is an excellent idea and I shall be looking out for local events on 4 October which I can actively support.'
Ian Hudghton, Scottish National Party MEP for Scotland

'The welfare of animals should be an integral part of all the efforts which we make on environmental and on general human welfare issues. The balance of all these relationships has to be right and a day which focuses on the importance we must attach to animal welfare issues is welcome and timely.'
Glenys Kinnock, Labour MEP for Wales