Guidelines for Workplace Activities

• It may sound obvious, but it really is important to secure the approval of management and colleagues well in advance of your event. There may be health and safety implications for your workplace, so it is vital to finalise details with your manager or human resources department.
• Strange but true, managers are human too! Most managers like to project an image of being sympathetic and caring individuals, so it is worth making the effort to get them supporting your initiative and, if possible, to get them actively involved. With a bit of sweet-talking, you may even find that your company agrees to match the amount of money you raise in a fund-raising venture. It's also worth asking managerial staff if they would be prepared to provide prizes for any competitions, etc.
• Remember that the success of your event will depend on the goodwill of your colleagues. Some of them might not like animals. This has to be respected. However impassioned you might feel about your cause, don't preach to people who just aren't interested; it won't help you in your efforts and might cause long-term resentment among your colleagues.
• Before bringing animals in to work, check among your colleagues for any phobias and allergies. It might be great having Fido in the office but not if a colleague ends up hospitalised with an asthma attack! Also, make sure that your animal is temperamentally suited to a day at work - aggression, constant barking and unruly behaviour could turn your World Animal Day into a disaster.
• Think well in advance of ways to publicise your event. Make use of office noticeboards and intranet, but ensure that you have the appropriate permission where necessary. If you have departmental meetings, ask the person in charge to mention World Animal Day.
• If you are fund-raising, send the money off to your chosen charity or organization as soon as possible after the event. Don't forget to tell them that your event was especially for World Animal Day. Make sure your colleagues know how much money you raised and if your chosen charity sends a letter of thanks, make sure that it is displayed prominently in your workplace.
• Don't forget to take some photographs of your event and send them to info@worldanimalday.org.uk for inclusion on this website to act as an inspiration to others!