World Animal Day by Shenequa Williams

Every year on October 4, people around the world celebrate World Animal Day, a day dedicated to recognising the importance of animals and promoting their welfare. This year, the celebration encourages us to “See the World Through Their Eyes”

From the rooster that wakes the neighbourhood at sunrise to goats grazing in the countryside, animals are all around us. They are also an important part of our agricultural sector, with farmers raising chickens, goats, sheep, pigs and cattle to support local food production and livelihoods.

Beyond the farm, our animals are also our companions. Dogs and cats are treasured members of many families, while Barbuda’s fallow deer, our national animal, remains a special part of our country’s natural heritage and identity.

Whether they are walking through a pasture, flying overhead, swimming in our surrounding waters or curled up beside us at home, animals share our islands and our environment.

This World Animal Day, let’s look beyond what animals provide for us and consider what the world looks like from their perspective. Caring for animals means showing compassion, practising responsible animal ownership and supporting healthy, sustainable agriculture.

“See the World Through Their Eyes” is more than a theme, it is an invitation to show greater compassion, respect and responsibility towards the animals that share our islands.

After all, when we care for our animals, we are also caring for our agriculture, our environment and Antigua and Barbuda.