05/10/2022
Happy World Animal Day! ❤️ 🌎 🐕 🦜 🐰
The mission of World Animal Day is to celebrate animals and improve their welfare around the world. World Animal Day was first celebrated on March 24th 1925 in Berlin with the vision of animal protection activist, Heinrich Zimmermann. Zimmermann later moved the day to October 4th in 1929.
Celebrating this day can bring people together to act and ensure a better future for our animals. In Trinidad and Tobago, we celebrate an incredible diversity of species. Our country is one of the most diverse in the Caribbean, and we have many beautiful and intriguing animals, both wild and domestic, that deserve to be safeguarded. Just consider the animals in the image—these are the eight most common species in captivity!
One way we can create a culture of compassion for animals is through legal reform. In 2021, a major reform of the Animals Act took effect, providing broad protection for both domestic and wild animals in Trinidad and Tobago. However, our work is still not done, and we await the day when there are proper regulations to fully implement this important law.
So how can you help animals in T&T? Here are some actions you may take.
1. Be an Advocate. You can spread awareness and educate your friends and family when you see animals in need.
2. Report Animal Abuse. You can anonymously report instances of animal abuse to Crime Stoppers TT (800-8477).
3. Adopt an Animal in Need. You can adopt an animal today from T&T’s shelters, including the TTSPCA and Animals Alive.
4. Take Your Pet to the Vet. Ensure your pet has the best care possible and take them for regular veterinary checkups.
5. Don’t Buy Wild. Wild animals are especially vulnerable to poor care because they have not evolved for captivity.