South Africa for the first time will be taking part in World Animal Day, marked with a march in Cape Town.
A call to all South Africans to take part in World Animal Day. The first ever march and festival for ALL animals!
In a global movement, organisers of Animals Matter to Africa (AMTA) will be hosting a parade and festival to raise awareness of animal welfare on Saturday, 4 October 2014 in aid of World Animal Day.
World Animal Day 2014 will mark the day when African Nations decisively debunk the perception that they do not care about animals. AMTA are working closely with the Pan African Animal Welfare Alliance (PAAWA), World Animal Net (WAN), and other partners to organise marches, parades and events across Africa as a graphic demonstration that animals matter.
Nikki Elliott, organiser of Animals Matter said: “Our aim is to show the world that Africa cares about all animals – domestic, farm and wild – and that we, its citizens, will rise against their suffering and exploitation. This is the time for all those who care about Africa’s animals to come together and show the world, and our governments, that we will no longer stand by while tourists kill our wildlife for ‘sport’, where farms are places of cruelty and abuse, or where animals are exploited for entertainment, testing or greed. We’re hoping to raise awareness of their plight and, above all, to instil a sense of compassion for these animals.”
The parade will start at Keizergracht at 10:00 on 4 October, and all animal lovers are invited.
The event will make its way through the streets of Cape Town and culminate in a festival afterwards. Animal lovers are invited to join in the festivities which will host an array of pet products, stalls and animal friendly food vendors, as well as information sharing sessions and activities to raise awareness about the continued suffering of these animals. There will also be entertainment including: musicians, dancers, poets, South African actors, drummers, stilt walkers, face painting for the children, and a host of other fun activities. At the festival, groups representing wildlife, farm animals, companion animals, animals in entertainment, animals used for fur and others will be present.
Tozie Zokufa, Chairman of the Pan African Animal Welfare Alliance said: “Education and awareness about the plight of animals, is sorely lacking in so many communities, this is why we will be inviting people from all walks of life including underprivileged and previously disadvantaged areas to join us at the festival. At the event we will be sharing information on matters relating to animal welfare, rights, and best practices.”
AMTA is working closely with the following partners in aid of World Animal Day:
• World Animal Net
• United Front 4 Animals
• TEARS Animal Rescue
• Seals of Nam
• Pan African Animal Welfare Alliance
• Cart Horse Protection Association
• Beauty Without Cruelty
• NSPCA
• Four Paws
For more information,visit and Facebook
About World Animal Day
On 4 October 2014, in every corner of the world, animal protection supporters will rise up – united – to proclaim to the world Animals Matter! This action originated in Africa, but has now spread across the world. Organisations from all other continents have joined Africa in solidarity, confirming that Animals Matter to them too! The movement is united and will not rest until animals have their voice.
World Animal Day has become a day for remembering and paying tribute to all animals and the people who love and respect them. It’s celebrated in different ways in every country, regardless of nationality, religion, faith or political ideology.
World Animal Day 2014 will mark the day when African Nations decisively debunk the perception that they do not care about animal welfare. And other cities and countries make it clear that they care about animal welfare too. This is why our fantastic team of organisers are helping the Pan African Animal Welfare Alliance (PAAWA), with the support of World Animal Net (WAN), to organise marches and events across Africa and the world as a graphic demonstration of the extent to which animals matter.
PAAWA and WAN will approach key organisations in countries where they have members and affiliates, to seek organisers. However, all animal protection organisations and activists are invited to take part – or to present their own teams of organisers – as a key aim is to demonstrate the strength and unity of the movement. We only ask that you collaborate and work together in a spirit of unity, for the sake of the animals.
All world citizens are called upon to join hands on 4 October 2014, under one banner, with one message to the United Nations, our governments, and the world at large: ANIMALS MATTER!
