World Animal Day is being marked for the 100th time on 4 October with the same message that animals are sentient beings in need of our protection. Yet, despite greater awareness, they have never been more endangered than today, warned Luka Oman, head of the association Animal Friends Croatia.
He stressed that this day should encourage everyone to take part in protecting those that cannot fight for themselves -- animals. There are many ways to help, he said, from adoption and reporting abuse to signing petitions, donating, volunteering, avoiding circuses and zoos, choosing cruelty-free products, opting for plant-based food and wearing non-animal materials.
Animal Friends pointed out that wild animals, on land and at sea, are literally struggling for the survival of their species because of hunting and the destruction of their habitats. Domestic animals, they added, are enslaved and turned into biological machines, exploited mercilessly to the limit while being stuffed with antibiotics, hormones and unnatural food, creating breeding grounds for diseases dangerous to humans as well.
The association also warned of the cruelty faced by pets -- abandoned when no longer wanted, chained, bred, crossed and sold. For profit and entertainment, animals are locked up in zoos, water parks and circuses, forced to pull logs, made to fight each other or hunted for sport. Many cruelties, they noted, are hidden behind laboratory doors, tradition or standardised excuses.
They emphasised that debates on stricter animal protection laws are ongoing in the EU, with new directives and guidelines adopted. This year highlighted the obligation to microchip cats and the introduction of a Positive List for exotic animals. However, they underlined that Croatia has yet to implement these measures urgently, not just "to tick a box" but to meet citizens' expectations and address real problems. They also warned that pet breeding and trade in Croatia are poorly regulated, with the grey market causing significant suffering.
Public opinion, the group noted, was shocked by the light sentences for animal rape. They expect amendments to the Criminal Code to make sexual acts with animals a separate offence with stricter sanctions. Citizens also demand a ban on loud fireworks and restrictions on light effects to New Year's Eve only.
Animal Friends further warned that marine animals suffer from trawling, which must be banned immediately, while cases of horse abuse through log-pulling for betting and entertainment have horrified the public. They called for a complete ban on chaining dogs and the creation of a dedicated animal inspection body. To reduce the shameful number of 10,000 abandoned animals annually, they urged consistent law enforcement across municipalities, checks on dog microchipping, funding for sterilisation, building municipal shelters, and education.
"Only strict laws and consistent enforcement will ensure the protection of animals and communities," Animal Friends stated.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition said World Animal Day calls on citizens, organisations, associations, institutions and the private sector to contribute jointly to animal welfare, biodiversity conservation and building sustainable communities. This year's theme is "Save Animals, Save the Planet!" The day coincides with the feast of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and nature, reminding people of the inseparable link between animal welfare and planetary health.
The ministry stressed that the loss of biodiversity, habitat degradation, industrial farming and pollution have direct negative impacts on animal species, ecosystems and the Earth's biosphere. It highlighted the importance of protecting "keystone species", whose survival ensures the preservation of ecosystems, habitats and other organisms.
