Guidelines for Individuals

If you decide to organize something for World Animal Day, here are a few points to bear in mind.

Whatever you decide to do, plan well in advance. The more planning you do, the less likely you will have unforeseen hitches and disruptions on the day.
If you want to help out at an animal shelter or wildlife trust, contact them well in advance. Be prepared for the fact that they might say no – but you can always leave them your details in case they need help in the future. And remember, should they decline your offer of help, there are still plenty of other things you can do for the day.
If you are organizing some kind of fund-raising event, make sure that it is publicized appropriately. Send the money to your chosen charity or welfare organization as soon as possible after the event. Don’t forget to tell them that your event was especially for World Animal Day.
Involve your family and friends as much as possible – your day will be a lot more fun if you have company.
If you are planning on adopting or sponsoring an animal, do plenty of research to find the right organization. The internet is a valuable source of information – try visiting the following sites for details of shelters, charities and organizations with sponsorship schemes:

Alternatively, talk to the information officer at your local library. S/he will be able to find the information you need.
Don’t be afraid to ask an expert for advice. For example, your local wildlife trust should be able to put you in touch with someone who can help you create a garden suitable for the wildlife in your region. Or if you are thinking of adopting an animal, ask plenty of questions and find out as much as you can about the animal’s needs. Or if you have an idea for a fund-raising activity, your chosen charity might be able to offer some guidance about how to make the most of your event.
If you are planning to hold an information stall, try to organize it as far in advance as possible. Make sure the organization(s) whose work you are promoting know what you are doing. Ask them well in advance for plenty of leaflets to give out. Ask permission from the local authorities well in advance. You will also need to check if you need to have any insurance cover - if so, contact the organization(s) whose work you are promoting and see if their insurance policies will cover your event. Make sure you have plenty of help on the day as running a stall can be very tiring.
Don't forget to take some photographs of your World Animal Day celebration and send them to info@worldanimalday.org.uk so that they can be included on the website to inspire others for next year.