International Animal Rights Day is December 10th. This is one cause we definitely want to help support! Awareness of the need for more stringent animal protection laws has been growing rapidly in recent years, but there is still a long way to go. Read on as a local Oshawa, ON vet lists some things you can do to help champion this cause.

History

International Animal Rights Day is actually a companion to International Human Rights Day, which was founded on December 10th, 1948, to prevent anything like the WWII horrors from happening again. Decades later, animal activists added the second honorary designation, based on the belief that the basic rights for respect, compassion, and dignity should also apply to animals.

Making A Difference

Sometimes small steps can lead to big changes. One thing you can do at home is make an effort to buy products that protect animals and animal rights. For instance, if you wear makeup, you can opt for cruelty-free brands. (Note: this site, Cruelty Free Kitty, is a great reference for that.) In general, choosing products that use sustainable, eco-friendly resources can also be helpful in protecting both fragile ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them.

Progress

While the fight for better animal rights isn’t going to be over anytime soon, there is definitely some progress being made. For instance, octopus and squid, along with crabs and lobsters, have just been designated as sentient beings in a UK bill. You can keep up with the progress of animal rights bills here in Canada at the ALDF website here. The site breaks down information into categories: animals used in research, captive animals, companion animals, farm animals, and wildlife.

Celebrating

So how does one celebrate International Animal Rights Day? However you like! Fill some bird feeders for the wild birds in your neighborhood, or ‘adopt’ a wild whale or elephant. You can also join, donate to, or volunteer at an animal rescue or charity. If you have children, this is also a perfect time to talk to them about our animal companions, and explain how important it is to treat them kindly. It may be chilly for the zoo, but there are plenty of great ones you can visit virtually. A great animal-themed movie or storybook would also not be inappropriate. Happy Holidays from Clarington Animal Hospital, your Oshawa, ON veterinary clinic. Call us anytime!