World Animal Day

Every year, on 4 October, organisations and individuals from around the world come together to celebrate World Animal Day – an annual event championing the importance of animal welfare.

This year, for the 100th anniversary, the theme is ‘save animals, save the planet’.

At SPANA, we will be focusing on One Health – an approach that recognises that the health of animals, people and the environment are all interconnected, and when one area suffers, the others do too.

What is One Health?

One Health is a globally endorsed concept which recognises that the health of animals, people and the environment are all interconnected.

Although the idea has existed for centuries, the official term ‘One Health’ emerged in the early 21st century in response to growing awareness of diseases that can spread between animals and people. The World Health Organization estimates that over 60 percent of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic – meaning they can be transmitted from animals to people.

But there are other threats to the health of animals, people and the environment. Historically, people have exploited animals and the environment while failing to appreciate their interdependency. The climate crisis is having a devastating impact on animals, as increasing extreme weather affects their shelter and access to food. Plastic pollution is another major threat, posing serious health risks to animals that may swallow discarded waste

The One Health approach aims to bring together professionals and organisations from different sectors such as veterinary, public and environmental health to more effectively tackle these issues. By working together, organisations can share information about potential risks, carry out research across different fields and put in place solutions that help animals, people and the environment.

You can learn more about One Health by visiting our The One Health Concept page.