Today is the International Day for the Protection of Animals, the MoEW reminds. Thousands of environmentalists around the world and animal protection organizations celebrate October 4 every year, drawing the attention of people around the world to the plight of the animal world on our planet.
The decision to celebrate it was made more than 90 years ago, in 1931 at the International Congress of the Movement for the Protection of Nature in Florence, Italy.
The aim of World Animal Day is to improve the treatment of animal species around the world by providing support to individuals, groups and organizations for their humane treatment. The date was also chosen because of the Catholic holiday dedicated to Saint Francis – patron of nature and animals.
According to the United Nations Committee for the Protection of Animals, a number of species are disappearing every day due to poachers for profit. There are over 40,000 endangered species of animals in the world and their number is growing alarmingly. Unfortunately, few people realize the consequences of irresponsible treatment of wildlife. Ensuring a comfortable existence, man has become the cause of the death of a huge number of representatives of the fauna.
The day unites the animal protection movement, making it a global force for change. Conservation organizations mark it with various events that aim to raise awareness of the specific problems of all animals everywhere in the world. This day is an occasion to mark our respect for animals by doing something special to honor their importance in the world. It also focuses on the principles of coexistence between humans and animals, the attitude towards stray animals in urban settings and the education of humane behavior towards animals in children.
In Bulgaria, the Animal Protection Act has been in force since 2008. It introduces norms for protecting their life, health and well-being, protecting them from inhumane, cruel and especially cruel treatment, providing appropriate care and living conditions, tailored to their physiological and behavioral characteristics.