October 4 - 10, 2008

World Animal Week is a yearly reminder to celebrate the difference animals make to our lives and to give something back, by fundraising for animal welfare, making a donation, taking action, eating cruelty-free, deciding to respect animals abroad, or just giving your pet some extra attention.

WSPA offices and member societies made last year a big success, and from October 4-10 we will be marking World Animal Week again.

What will you do? Read more and be inspired!

The United States

Act beautiful for animals
WSPA has teamed up with international cosmetic and beauty chain The Body Shop to ask people around the world to make themselves beautiful by signing our petition to promote the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare.  During World Animal Week The Body Shop will encourage their in-store and online customers to add their name to the petition by visiting their interactive website.  You can make yourself beautiful by signing the declaration, or if you've already signed, by inviting your friends to do so, at www.makeyourselfbeautiful.org.  WSPA Australia, Canada, and New Zealand are also taking part in this campaign. Read our press release >>

Get involved for animals
Help us achieve our mission of creating a better world for animals by participating in our projects for animals around the globe.  Visit our Urgent Action Needed page to take action on some critical issues affecting animals right now, make a donation in support of our work, or spread the word by telling others about WSPA's campaigns and projects.

Ten ways you can help animals
Make a difference for the animals around you - such as making more humane food choices, being a compassionate traveler, reporting cruelty to animals, living in harmony with your wild neighbors, and being considerate of your companion animals.  You can also download and print a poster with these tips to display in your office, home, or school - in honor of World Animal Week, or year round. Learn more about ways you can help animals >>

Brazil

Our Brazilian office is collaborating on a number of public events, including the Animals in Focus photo exhibition, and screenings of the documentary Animals: Sentient Beings in schools, churches, public squares, and universities across 29 cities. Also, the winners of a competition to create short public films on the Universal Declaration will be part of a televised Animal Festival.

Colombia

WSPA's Colombian celebrations will be held where the welfare work really happens - schoolchildren and local animal welfare groups have been invited to a clinic treating working horses and educating owners on animal care. This week is a chance for all 130 member societies in the region to promote their work and collect Universal Declaration petition signatures.

Costa Rica

WSPA's office covering Mexico, Central America and Caribbean will be promoting animal welfare and calling for Declaration signatures through regional press and media. This will be supported by member society activities in different countries, including art shows, fairs, spay and neuter education initiatives, concerts, and an animal adoption day.

Denmark

Volunteers will take to the streets on October 4, promoting awareness of animal welfare and gathering signatures for the Declaration. Those who sign will be asked why animals matter to them, and their answers posted on the WSPA Denmark website.

Netherlands

On the eve of World Animal Week, WSPA Netherlands will be part of the second annual ‘Animals Gala' in Amsterdam. Organized by member society Varkens in Nood (‘Pigs in Need'), the event puts the spotlight on animals and provides an opportunity for people who care about animals to meet and be inspired.

New Zealand

In New Zealand the Body Shop will also be selling Karen Walker for WSPA t-shirts and promoting the Declaration. TV presenter Jacqui Brown has lent her support, saying: “The Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare will send a strong message that cruelty and neglect is not okay. Animals are a vital part of our lives.”

Tanzania

WSPA Africa is collaborating with member societies and other animal welfare organizations to run free animal clinics at five venues in Dar es Salaam. Over the week, the clinics will target underprivileged communities and highlight the importance of proactive animal care.

Thailand

A WSPA Asia ambassador, TV star Por Tissadee Sahawong, has been promoting animal welfare in the run up to World Animal Week. After taking part in WSPA's school-based educational activities, he described animal welfare as “a vital concern in our country and the world. It affects all parts of our lives, including our health and economy.”       

United Kingdom

This year, the focus is on fundraising activity to support our vital work with dogs and cats. ‘It's A Piece of Cake!' invites supporters to hold bake sales and coffee mornings at schools, vet surgeries, community halls… anywhere money can be raised to protect and care for companion animals!