Volunteers from Townsville Against Live Exports (TALE) hosting a stall for World Animal Day on October 4.

100 Years of World Animal Day: A Global Celebration

Posted: 14th October 2025

This October 4, the world came together in celebration of animals everywhere. People of all ages and backgrounds united under the theme “Save Animals, Save the Planet,” making this year’s World Animal Day bigger, bolder, and more joyful than ever.

Across social media, #WorldAnimalDay reached over 59 million people worldwide, and thousands of voices joined together to raise the status of animals.

Initiatives throughout the year

Here at World Animal Day HQ, 2025 has been a year to remember. To mark our 100th anniversary, we launched some exciting initiatives:

‘100 Acts of Kindness’ encouraged people to pledge a personal act of compassion for animals. The response was overwhelming, and we far surpassed our goal!
Our Anniversary Stamp designed by the talented Emma Jayne, beautifully captured the untouched mangroves of Borneo and their wildlife. It was a perfect tribute to our theme, ‘Save Animals, Save the Planet’.
Our Mug Competition launched in June, and we had over 100 entries. Our winning design – a beautiful highland cow in a flourishing meadow by Amelie, aged 13 – is now out in the world to buy!
Our 100k Challenge asked supporters to move for charity throughout the month of September, with everything from cycling 100k in a single day to completing 100 different yoga poses over a month!
Donate A Dinner Campaign saw the public donate much-needed supplies to rescue centres across the UK. Read the BBC coverage here.
World Animal Day Grants – This year, Naturewatch Foundation funded four outstanding World Animal Day ambassadors with a total of £10,000 to support impactful projects around the globe, from a vaccination programme in Pakistan, to the building of a ‘Cat Hotel’ in Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Two runners with World Animal Day t-shirts hold a World Animal Day banner that reads “October 4.”

A person holding a mug decorated with a colorful drawing of a Highland cow wearing a flower crown, surrounded by bees and flowers.

As coordinators of World Animal Day, it’s safe to say the team at Naturewatch Foundation well and truly got into the spirit: from donating 100 dinners to our local wildlife hospital, to running the Apperley Quarter Marathon just down the road, it’s been a non-stop celebration for animals!

Celebrations Across the Globe

World Animal Day isn’t just a UK story. This year, over 70 events were added to our website from every corner of the globe:

In Massachusetts, USA, FOUR PAWS unveiled a nearly life-size elephant sculpture named Madhubala, in honour of a rescued elephant from Pakistan.
In Dodoma, Tanzania, students from the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots programme presented projects to protect local wildlife and celebrate their favourite animals.
In Lahore, Pakistan, veterinary nurses ran a free treatment camp offering checkups, vaccinations, and care for pets and farm animals from underprivileged communities.
In Australia’s Blue Mountains, poets and activists alike gathered to “raise the bar for nature,” with plant-based feasts, poetry readings, and tributes to animal rights pioneer Christine Townend.
In Kent, England, animal lovers joined Friends of the River Medway for a walk along the Thames, dressed as dragonflies, herons, and other river creatures to raise awareness of the Rights of Rivers movement.

These events show the incredible diversity of ways animals can be celebrated.

Members of the Rwanda Animal Welfare Organization (RAWO) standing outdoors holding a banner for World Animal Day 2025, promoting dog vaccination and animal welfare awareness, surrounded by dogs. — *Paws A While event for World Animal Day. Credit: SouthPaw Media Cpt.*

A Celebration to Remember

In its 100th year, World Animal Day saw some familiar faces using their platforms to share messages of compassion for animals. Kevin Bacon shared the message ‘it’s their home too’, Carole King used her platform to call for a world where every animal is treated with respect, and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust shared an extraordinary elephant rescue story that reached over 11 million people.

The Dr. Jane Goodall Institute reminded us that ‘each animal matters’ just days following her passing. We were deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Jane Goodall, a tireless advocate for animals and the environment. Her lifelong dedication continues to inspire us and we can only hope to honour her legacy through our work.

World Animal Day 2025 has reminded us that protecting animals is a global movement. People everywhere proved that when we come together, we can make a real difference.

Thank you to everyone around the world who took part, celebrated, and shared their love for animals. Here’s to continuing the momentum, spreading compassion, and making next year’s World Animal Day even bigger and brighter!

Help Shape World Animal Day 2026!

We’re already looking ahead to next year and want your ideas. What should the theme of World Animal Day 2026 be? Send us your suggestions at hope@worldanimalday.org.uk and make your mark on our next global celebration!

Illustrated design featuring the lush mangroves of Borneo, with animals including orangutans, a jaguar, an elephant, colorful birds, and fish. Text at the top reads “100 Years” and below it says “Save Animals, Save the Planet.”