KARACHI: Today marks World Animal Day which is being celebrated in Pakistan, along with the rest of the world. 1936 was the year when it was decided to fix and celebrate World Animal Day, to highlight the importance of love and care for animals. The other reason for celebrating a special day for animals was to make the world aware about the importance of safety for rare animals. Pakistan’s animal lovers and the rest of the world arrange various kinds of ceremonies and gatherings to express their concern and love for animals. SAMAA  

ISLAMABAD: World Animal Day, which is celebrated each year on 4 October is being observed around the world including Pakistan.

On this day, animal life in all its forms is celebrated, and special events are planned on locations all over the globe. This date was originally chosen for World Animal Day because it is the feast day of Francis of Assisi, a nature lover and patron saint of animals and the environment.

World Animal Day was first launched in 1931 at a convention of ecologists to draw attention to the plight of endangered species. Its scope has since developed to encompass the animal kingdom in general.

The 4th October was chosen for the day because it is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.World Animal Day is intended as a day of celebration for anyone in the world who cares about animals. It is not restricted to any one nationality, creed, religion, political belief or ideology.So, the day is celebrated annually in many countries throughout the world.

Blessing of the animals at the St. Bartholomew Church located at Park Ave. and E 51st. St. in Manhattan.

A celebrity camel, peacock and goat led the procession Sunday at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine’s annual Blessing of the Animals.

Azzuri, a camel better known for her work in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, was at the front of the group of 15 animal stars as they strolled toward the altar during the Feast of St. Francis celebration.

Then came Blue, a peacock of “30 Rock” fame.

Worshipers may have recognized Maisie, a goat, from her stints on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and the “Late Show with David Letterman.”

“No one is stressed,” said Amanda Brooke of the Dawn Animal Agency, who each year donates the star-studded cast to participate in the ceremony. “They are very comfortable here.”

Brooke said her special pals enjoy the two-hour drive from their home at Sanctuary for Animals in upstate Westtown.

Still, the TV stars didn’t seem to impress the pet dogs and cats who sat with their owners in pews during the two-hour blessing service.

Zorro, a black Labrador retriever from Astoria, Queens, barked through the entire Mass – embarrassing owner Gabriella Oliveira, 17.

“This is a bad idea,” whispered Oliveira as Zorro woofed loudly.

“We thought he should be blessed. He is like an extra child in the family.”

Not far away, pet dog Giorgio – nicknamed The Naked Canine by his owner – was dressed in a tiny blue cowboy hat.

He sat peacefully, in silence.

“He is 14, has a serious heart condition,” said Christine Pellicano of the upper East Side. Pellicano, a photographer and dog walker, uses Giorgio’s Facebook page to promote aging animals who need homes.

“He needs to be blessed,” she said.

http://www.samaa.tv/News26220-Pakistan_celebrates_World_Animal_Day_.aspx

http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?id=169420

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