Let's Look At It This Way: World Animal Day

Tomorrow is World Animal Day (WAD).

WAD started since 1931 and it falls on 4 Oct every year. It is a day of celebration for anyone in the world who cares about animals. It is a day we show our respect for animals by doing something special to highlight the importance of animals in the world. It is a day we say 'NO' to animal cruelty, just like any other day, but louder.

Everyday, many different species of animals are dying because of us. They die because we kill them for their fur. They die because we encroach into their habitats. They die because we disturb the ecosystem. They die because we human think we own the Earth all to ourselves.

In Singapore, the SPCA will be celebrating WAD tomorrow at their premises located at 31 Mount Vernon Road (10am - 4pm). This is probably the last time SPCA will be celebrating WAD at the present premises because their lease will be running out in 2012.

See their invitation for for more information.

The Singapore Zoo will also be celebrating this special day tomorrow (8.30am - 6.00pm) but if you cannot wait, you can head on to the Jurong Bird Park today for their WAD celebration (8.30am - 6.00pm). The 2-day affair will be a fund-raising event for the Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Fund (WRSCF).

Among other things, you will get to catch celebrity WRSCF Ambassadors, Gurmit Singh and Kym Ng auctioning off some of their personal items for charity at the Zoo.

See their press release for more information.

Near our homes, many animals are abused due to reasons I can never accept nor understand. Further away in the wild, many more are poached because of human greed. There are a lot we can do to help them. Some of us do not know how and some of us think it is not so easy.

It is actually not difficult at all. In fact, you can help with just one click a day on some sponsored sites. All you have to contribute is a few seconds of your time. Each time you click, the sponsors of these sites will donate to the cause. The more you click, the more donation will be received.

Here are some of such sites:

1. The Animal Rescue Site

The Animal Rescue Site provides food for unwanted animals given to shelters. Millions of animals are put to death every year because they are abandoned and unwanted. Why must they die simply because they are no longer loved?

Click once a day to help the abandoned animals.

2. Save The Baby Seals

Each year, hundreds of thousands of baby seals are slaughtered on the ice fields off Canada's east coast for their pelts. Over 95% of the seals killed during this hunt are just days or weeks old.

Click once a day to save the cubs.

More information on 'Save The Baby Seals".

3. Feed Pets In Need

Many pets are abandoned because their owners can no longer afford the love they deserve and most of the time, without any good reason. These homeless animals need food, care and permanent loving homes. Your donation will also go to provide no-cost veterinary care to dogs and cats in low-income communities around the world.

Click once a day and help to feed these pets.

More information on 'Feed Pets In Need'.

See article: I Love You No More

4. Save Our Rainforests

Rainforests around the world nurture thousands of animals. Nature has made the homes of these animal self-sufficient with food and water. However, more than half of Earth's original rainforests have been destroyed, thanks to unsustainable agriculture, ranching, logging, mining and other destructive practices.

Click once a day to support efforts in saving the remaining rainforests.

More information on "Save Our Rainforests'.

5. Save Our Oceans

More than 70% of the globe is covered with oceans. This is the home for many marine species. Many are critically endangered and others see their population declining at an alarming rate due to over-fishing.

Click once a day and your donation will help to bring changes to lessen the damage.

More information on 'Save Our Oceans'.

See article: Cocktail Party In The Ocean

Helping the animals cannot get any easier. Let today be the day you start clicking once a day, everyday.

If you would like to do more, you can send in specific petition to help some animals which are in big trouble.

Here are three of them:

1. Stop Shark Finning

Many people love shark's fin as a form of delicacy. What many of them do not realize is that there is great suffering behind this dish. Sharks are captured live and their fins are hacked off while they are still alive. The sharks are then thrown back into the sea. There, they are left to die slowly, finless and bleeding.

The European Shark Week 2009 is coming up soon (10-18 Oct 09). You can help by sending in your petition to support shark conservation.

See articles:

(Cruel) Food For Thought

Sharks: Prey or Predator?

2. Save The Dolphins

In my article, "The Cove: The Killing Must Stop", I reviewed the movie-documentary which reveals the dark secret of mass dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan. The movie has sent such a strong wave across the world that the killing has stopped.

No one knows if it is going to stay this way. You can help to send in your petition to stop this once and for all.

3. Say No To Whale Shark in Captivity

The upcoming Singapore Resort World Sentosa (RWS) is planning to feature a whale shark in their Marine Life Park. In case you are not aware, whale sharks are the largest fish on Earth. They can grow up to 12 meters and swim a great distance in a day. Only the ocean is big enough to accommodate them comfortably.

Whale sharks will not do well in a tank! You can help to say 'NO' by sending in your petition.

See articles: A Tank As Big As The Ocean?

The above are just some ways you can make WAD a meaningful day for you. Choose your cause and show your action. Involve your children and allow them to click on causes of their choice. It is never too young to teach them that there is only one planet Earth and we have to share it with the animals as well.

Lastly, don't forget to give your pets a hug (I just did). Happy 'World Animal Day'!