This October animal lovers everywhere will come together to celebrate our furry – and not so furry friends – on World Animal Day.
Taking place on October 4th World Animal Day (the feast day of Francis of Assisi - the patron saint of animals) symbolises an international day of action to raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe.
As animal lovers first and foremost, Lintbells, manufacturers of premium natural pet supplements, have suggested what you can do to show your support for this year’s World Animal Day:
Volunteer at your local animal shelter
It’s a sad fact but all too often animals are left with no one to care for them, making them vulnerable and in need of some help. Whether they’re ill, old or still young, it’s important we show them the love and care they deserve.
This World Animal Day why not visit an animal shelter and see the amazing job they do in looking after abandoned and injured animals. Of course, volunteers play a vital role and it’s a brilliant opportunity to work with the animals directly. Often shelters are in need of local volunteers for walking, cleaning, grooming or just spending some quality play time with their animals. If you have time, you could even become a long-term supporter.
Have a sponsored dog walk
A recent survey conducted by Lintbells found that dog owners spend an hour and 12 minutes more outside each week than those without dogs. So, this year why not incorporate your daily walking routine into something that raises money for World Animal Day? Organise your own sponsored walk or take part in a sponsored walk near you for a great opportunity to meet fellow dog lovers. Make posters and invitations to raise awareness and get as many owners to come along with you as you can. You could even use your own dog’s paw prints to decorate them! If your dog isn’t quite as mobile as they once were, incorporating a natural joint support supplement such as YuMOVE into their diet can help to ease stiffness and promote long-term joint health. That way they can keep up with the young’uns!
YuMOVE is now also available in an exciting new ONE-A-DAY Chewie, making it even easier to provide your pooch with the support they need to stay fit and healthy.
Litter picking sessions
Litter is a huge problem in modern society and it can seriously harm animals and wildlife in your local area. To protect our animal friends from dangerous broken glass or plastic packaging, why not organise a litter pick with your family and friends or get involved with a community litter pick near you.
If you’ve noticed a specific area, perhaps a favourite dog walking spot that you think could benefit from a litter pick, you will need to gain permission from the landowners before you carry it out. Your local council can supply you with litter picking equipment, as well as arranging a waste collection once you’ve finished – it’s a great opportunity to get together with friends all while improving your local area and raising awareness for the environment.
Ready, set selfie!
At a time where social media has taken the world by a storm, it’s hard to scroll through a news feed without seeing a post about a beloved pet. On this special day, why not take a few cute pictures with your dog or cat and upload it onto social media with the #worldanimalday to boost the awareness of the importance of caring for our animals.
Make your garden wildlife friendly
If you love to garden and have access to your own outdoor space, you can use your gardening hobby to help the wildlife around you. Our dogs love spending time in the gardens so why not make yours a welcoming space for all creatures. Even small gardens can offer a huge variety of habitats to various animals - plant as many types of flowers as you can, as every plant is suited to different insects such as butterflies and beetles.
Hanging bird feeders with a range of nut and seed mixes can attract many species to your garden. What’s more, watching the birds from your window can be very relaxing and a fascinating insight into local wildlife! If you want to make even more of a home for your new-found friends, you can invest in a bird bath or bird box as a great way to attract whole families of birds to where you live. Be sure to put up bird boxes before spring and try to shelter them where possible to keep them safe from the elements.
