Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Acknowledging the way animals enrich our lives


In a few weeks, on Oct 4, people from all walks of life around the globe will be celebrating World Animal Day. Animal welfare organisations and other related agencies worldwide are currently busy planning and preparing to celebrate this day which is dedicated to animals and to those who care for them.

World Animal Day is a day to celebrate and appreciate our relationship with the animals that share our planet and the way they enrich our lives. It is also a day to speak out against all forms of animal cruelty  and to advocate for the protection of wildlife habitats that is shrinking. This day belongs to all the citizens of the world and the animals that is sharing their environment.

As human beings we are  said to to be neighbours, roommates and friends to these creatures. It is our responsibility to help and protect these animals so that their future generations can grow and thrive, which helps our future generations will be blessed to enjoy and  share their lives with these animals.

World Animal Day began in 1931 as a way to highlight the plight of endangered species. It has now evolved into a special day to honour all the animals in the world regardless of the celebrants’ nationality, religion, faith or political beliefs.

The mission of World Animal Day in short are:
  • To celebrate animal life in all forms,
  • Celebrate humankind’s relationship to the animal kingdom,
  • To acknowledge the diverse roles that animals play in our lives - from being our companions, supporting and helping us to bringing a a sense of wonder into our lives, and
  • To acknowledge and be thankful in the way animals enrich our lives.
According to an international animal welfare organisation report on the Net, an estimated 80 percent of the world’s 1 billion cats and dogs are said to be strays or neglected. The report also  pointed out that many of the 60 billion farm animals raised in the world today are said to be inhumanely treated and during disasters these  animals are forgotten.

 Daily around the world, hundreds of animals are said to be facing some form of  barbaric treatment at the hands of individuals and groups who are either  ignorant or don’t care two hoots about animal welfare or safety. The situation is getting worse in countries where  animal welfare legislations and enforcement are lacking to curb and protect  heinous animal cruelty.

One of the good things about World Animal Day is that it can be celebrated indoors or outdoors. As such local animal welfare oganisations, including  government agencies such as the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) and the Wildlife Depatment (Perhilitan) should  not miss out on this opportunity to highlight the mutual benefits man derives by taking good care of the well-being and safety of the animals that share our environment.

There are so many things that we can do in conjunction with World Animal Day celebrations in Malaysia. I am sure by now  our local  animal welfare NGOs  should have lined up various  events and programmes to commomarate this special day where the public can participate.

Our national animal guardians DVS and Perhilitan, with resources and expertise should be playing a prominent role a sponsoring and promoting events and  campaigns to commemorate  World Animal Day. It is sad and disappointing to note that in the past DVS and Perhilitan have  being rather silent or have not shown enough  enthusiasm  in promoting World Animal Day celebrations in the country.

DVS and Perhilitan should be in the forefront

Ideally DVS and Perhilitan should be in the forefront in organising events and programmes to celebrate this World Animal  Day. There are so many ways this World Animal Day can be celebrated.

Business entities, especially multi-national companies, can do their part by  to contributing in cash or kind to help out in the activities undertaken by the local animal welfare organisations which are facing financial constraints.

Supermarkets and outher business outlets can do their part, too, on this special day by offering special discount sales for pet food and other items. Fast food chains can organise special events for patrons especially children on this day. Veterinary clinics and hospitals can introduce special rebates for their services for pet owners.

The public can also play their role as individuals in boycotting business products originating from animal body parts such as fur, feather, tusk, etc. The buying of consumer goods and products derived from unethical and heinous killing of animals should be stopped.

The practice of patronising unethical  business outlets which deals with consumer goods derived from illegal (poaching) animal parts  has been cited as one of the major contributing factor for  heinous animal cruelty and the extinction of many protected animal species.

If you are an animal lover and you have  yet to join any of the local animal welfare organisations, take this opportunity during the world animal day celebration to get involved and do your part. Alternatively you can lend your voice to join  more than 1.5 million people around world  to show your support to a draft proposal by the World Animal Protection Society to the United Nation  on the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW).

This is an  inter-governmental agreement among people and nations to recognise that animals are sentient beings and that we respect  their welfare and end all forms of  animal cruelty. Sign the online petition to show your support for the proposed UDAW atwww.animalsmatter.org.

Meanwhile, I appeal to government agencies which are directly involved in the welfare and well-being of our small and large animals, especially the DVS and Perhilitan, to play their part in making this World Animal Day celebrations a meaningful and memorable one. There are a hundred and one thing the DVS and Perhilitan can do by joining forces with the NGOS to promote animal welfare  awareness among the  public.

It will be memorable and meaningful World Animal Day celebration for Malaysians this year the authorities honour their pledge  to set up the Malaysian Animal Welfare Advisory Council and table the long-awaited new Animal Welfare Bill in Parliament for the October 2014 parliament session.

To commemorate the world animal day celebrations I wish to suggest that the authorities consider holding a special ceremony to recognise and reward outstanding  work by any individual or organisation that has contributed immensely to animal welfare and safety in the country.

Special awards should be given to outstanding  journalists who have created an impact on society to  significantly raise the standard and awareness  of animal welfare and safety. The authorities should make this award presentation ceremony an annual event  to commemorate the celebration of World Animal Day.

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