World Animal Day 2022

World Animal Day, held this year on 4 October, focuses on celebrating and uplifting the welfare of animals worldwide. The past two years have highlighted the importance companion animals have in our daily lives, with pet ownership numbers surging during the pandemic. Independent research performed by Animal Medicines Australia demonstrated that nationally, 69% of households now own a pet, up from 61% in 2019. This equates to an estimated 30.4 million pets across the country.

According to the survey, pet owners cited companionship, affection and comfort as some of the top reasons for pet ownership. Benefits to mental wellbeing, especially pertinent during the stresses of the pandemic, were significant. The survey found that most pet owners who acquired pets during the pandemic were already intending to acquire a pet, but the opportunity for increased contact time and acclimatisation during lockdown periods sped up their decision.

2022 has already seen some ‘wins’ for welfare, with laws passed in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and more recently Australia legally recognising the sentience of animals. However, according to the Animal Welfare and Ethics SIG, there is still much work to be done, including preserving wildlife habitat, optimising the welfare standards of husbandry procedures in production animals, and safeguarding the welfare of animals used in sport, recreation and research.

The AVA plays a large role in animal welfare advocacy, and members of the Animal Welfare and Ethics SIG work together to uplift the welfare of all animals. “As we share this earth with a diverse range of animals, considering how we interact with animals as well as what qualities of animal products we choose to support, is a practical way to bring meaning to World Animal Day,” says Dr Michael Paton, president of the Animal Welfare and Ethics SIG.