World Animal Day 2025 - "Save Animals, Save the Planet!"

Use the FOUR PAWS Animal Welfare Advocacy Guide to take small steps of Kindness this World Animal Day

Cape Town, 29 September 2025 — On 4 October, South Africans will join the global community in celebrating World Animal Day, a time to pause and reflect on the animals who share our lives, our land and our homes. This year’s theme "Save Animals, Save the Planet!", reminds us that animals are not just part of our environment, but part of our communities and caring for them is our shared responsibility.

Instead of a physical gathering outside Parliament this year, FOUR PAWS is calling on individuals, schools, organisations, and communities across the country to mark the day in their own way, using the Animal Welfare Advocacy Guide for a Kinder World. This guide is a simple, practical tool that helps South Africans advocate for stronger animal protection laws while making more compassionate choices in everyday life.

From our wildlife in the Kruger National Park to our beloved dogs and cats in our townships, this year’s theme honours all animals, wild, farm and companion as rightful co-inhabitants of our land. The day is a gentle reminder for us that highlights urgent issues like wildlife exploitation, factory farming, and the safe and humane care of stray animals. World Animal Day inspires us to respect animals’ rights to live freely and safely and to push for stronger protections in law and practice.

The Advocacy Guide: Your Toolkit for Change

The Animal Welfare Advocacy Guide, launched by FOUR PAWS South Africa, offers:

• Steps to engage with local and national government.
• Templates for letters and petitions.
• Tips for hosting awareness events in your community.
• Guidance on ethical choices in food, fashion, and travel (#LiveKinder, #EatKinder, #WearItKind & #TravelKind).

Fiona Miles, Director of FOUR PAWS shares: “Making animal welfare a focal point of our purpose is a powerful way to create positive change for animals, whether through daily acts of kindness or broader lifestyle adjustments. Small, committed actions truly matter, and with a collective effort, we can build a future where animals are treated with the respect and compassion they deserve”.

World Animal Day is more than a celebration, it’s a reflection of Ubuntu, reminding us that our humanity is deeply connected to how we treat all living beings. This year, let us recommit to building a South Africa where animals are treated with respect, empathy and understanding.

The Animal Welfare Advocacy Guide is available for download here. Like, follow and tag us at FOUR PAWS South Africa with your activities for the day. For more information, please visit our website at www.four-paws.org.za