World Animal Day is more than just a celebration. It’s a reminder that every person can make a difference for animals.
World Animal Day is an opportunity to take action and show compassion to animals everywhere. If you’re wondering how to make an impact, here are 10 ways to help animals this World Animal Day.
1. Free Joyce and Give Her the Sanctuary She Deserves
Joyce has spent far too long in captivity at Six Flags Great Adventure, kept in a small enclosure surrounded by roller coasters and rumbling safari trucks. She deserves a safe, peaceful life in a sanctuary.
We’re asking Six Flags to:
- Transfer Joyce to a US-based elephant sanctuary.
- Relocate the remaining elephants at the Wild Safari.
- Close the elephant enclosure for good.
Advocate for Joyce and help give her the life she deserves.
2. Stop the Sale of Birds in NYC Pet Shops
Birds in pet stores often come from cruel breeding mills and endure a lifetime of suffering. You can help protect these sensitive, intelligent animals by urging New York City to ban the sale of birds in pet shops. Together, we can give birds a chance at a life free from cruelty.
Urge your NYC Council Member to stop bird sales in NYC
3. Tell Petco and PetSmart to End Animal Sales
Even if you’re not in New York City, you can still take action for animals. Major pet store chains, including Petco and PetSmart, profit from selling animals like birds, often sourced from cruel breeders. You can help push these stores to end animal sales and prioritize adoption, giving countless animals a safer, happier life.
4. Reduce Your Meat Consumption
Factory farming causes immense suffering for animals while also threatening public health and the environment. By choosing to reduce your meat consumption, you can help protect animals and reduce environmental harm.
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5. Support the Captive Primate Safety Act
Primates are highly intelligent, social animals with complex emotions who belong in the wild, not in private homes or cages. The Captive Primate Safety Act would ban the private ownership of primates in the US, protecting these amazing animals from exploitation, abuse, and a life of suffering. By supporting this law, you can help stop the exploitation of primates as pets.
6. Urge Support for the MINK Virus Act
Mink farms have been linked to dangerous virus outbreaks that threaten both animals and humans. The MINK Virus Act can stop this by ending mink farming in the US, creating a one-year phaseout, and supporting farmers to transition out of the industry.
Protect animals and public health—urge your representative to co-sponsor this legislation now.
7. Pass the OCTOPUS Act
Octopuses are smart, emotional, and deserve to live free in the ocean—not trapped in tanks. The OCTOPUS Act would ban commercial octopus farming in the U.S. and stop the import of farmed octopus from other countries.
This is our chance to stop cruelty before it starts. Speak up for octopuses today and keep them where they belong—wild and free.
8. Hold Factory Farms Accountable for Disease Outbreaks
Factory farms put both animals and humans at risk, creating conditions where disease can spread quickly. One of the most effective ways to help animals is to demand accountability and stronger safety regulations for these facilities. The Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act would give the FDA access to factory farms to conduct microbial testing and investigate public health concerns, helping protect animals, workers, and communities.
9. Donate to Support Ongoing Animal Protection Efforts
Your support powers World Animal Protection to rescue animals, fight cruelty, and push for stronger laws. By joining The Wild Side with a monthly gift, you help end animal abuse and exploitation while giving animals hope every single day of the year.
Your monthly donation makes a real difference—it’s the line between suffering and safety for countless animals.
10. Spread the Word
Sharing information and encouraging others to take action is one of the simplest ways to help animals. Post about World Animal Day on social media, talk to friends and family, and inspire more people to make a difference.
World Animal Day is a call to action. From Joyce the elephant to octopuses, primates, and farmed animals, there are countless ways to help animals today. By taking even one of these actions, you’re contributing to a world where animals are treated with the care, respect, and freedom they deserve.