Hundreds of events in over 100 countries are taking place October 4, 2010 in celebration of World Animal Day.

What is World Animal Day, you ask? As per Wikipedia’s explanation, World Animal Day is celebrated each year on October 4. It started in Florence, Italy in 1931 at a convention of ecologists. On this day, animal life in all its forms is celebrated, and special events are planned on locations all over the globe. October 4 was originally chosen for World Animal Day because it is the feast day of Francis of Assisi, a nature lover and patron saint of animals. Numerous churches throughout the world observe the Sunday closest to October 4 with a Blessing for the Animals.

However, World Animal Day has now gone beyond being the celebration of a Christian Saint and is today observed by animal-lovers of all beliefs, nationalities and backgrounds. Animal blessings are held in churches, synagogues, and by independent animal lovers in parks and fields. Animal rescue shelters generally hold fundraising events and open days, wildlife groups organize information displays, schools undertake animal-related project work and individuals and groups of friends or co-workers donate to animal charities or pledge to sponsor a shelter animal.

If you are interested in getting involved, please visit this link: http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/get_involved.asp

To browse a list of activities on Animal Day, October 4 2010 in your location, please visit this link: http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/events_diary2010.asp

Get involved. Do something special for the animals.