April 4th2024 is World Stray Animals Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of wild animals around the world and the problems they face.
World Stray Animals Day was inaugurated in 2010 by more than 100 Dutch organizations that met at the Dutch National Stray Animals Conference. April 4 was chosen because it is exactly 6 months from World Animal Day. By consensus, “wild” animals are defined as domestic animals that have been abandoned or lost, as opposed to domestic species born in the wild that are referred to as “feral” animals.
Helping Stray Animals Around the Globe
Last year, among many other events and initiatives around the world, the work of the international animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS was celebrated in Moldova, where a major project of sterilization and improved veterinary care for wild animals are given. The event ended up sterilizing nearly 500 strays in partnership with Doctor Vet, a local non-profit that specializes in meeting the needs of wild animals in Moldova, where over 20,000 wild animals live in the capital of Greater Chisinau only.
Also, four Animal Welfare Groups in the Netherlands, where World Stray Animals Day was founded, specifically St Maarten Animal Welfare, SXM Paws, Island Puppy Rescue, and Animal Defenders, came together this year to launch a week of spay and neuter campaign in all Dutch side communities. Visiting veterinarians performed procedures free of charge.
Observing World Stray Animals Day
The World Health Organization estimates that while 200 million stray dogs exist worldwide, as many as 480,000,000 stray cats roam the streets. Concerned individuals can, first, observe the day by attending and participating in any events that may be taking place locally. Of course, organizations everywhere work year-round to alleviate the suffering of the lost, and they can always use help since almost all exist largely or solely on donations and volunteer efforts. They almost always need help feeding, caring for, and transporting the animals, and you can distribute flyers, donate toys, blankets, food, and more. Even better, you can help organize monthly donation drives and spay/neuter and/or vaccination campaigns locally.
As an individual, throughout the year, one of the first things you can do to help these animals is to sterilize your existing pets to prevent more animals from being born when there are already too many in need of a home. The local shelter should be your first stop if you want to adopt a new pet, rather than buy one. Finally, microchip your current pets, so they can be easily found if they wander off.
Conclusion
World Stray Animals Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the millions of these unfortunate animals, who are in desperate circumstances through no fault of their own. Strays are everywhere, from inner-city streets to rural and rural areas, and can include dogs, cats, or any animal that has been abandoned or lost.
World Stray Animals Day is one way we can all choose to make a difference.
Featured Image Credit: M.Pakats, Shutterstock
