World Animal Day 2011 - Pakistan
World Animal Day was celebrated by Brooke Hospital for Animals - Pakistan on the 4th of October 2011, in which number of different events and awareness raising events such as Walks, Mobile and Static clinic orientations, Special awareness raising sessions for owners and their children's, speeches from students and Government livestock officials at its offices and clinics in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Karachi, Sukkur, and Peshawar.
The Brooke in Pakistan is currently operating in 15 districts in all four provinces of Pakistan. The celebrations were organized to promote the cause to minimize sufferings in working animals and recognizing the services given by these defenceless and adorable creatures. A large number of school children, livestock department and partner organization (SRSO) representatives, Agriculture University Faisalabad, and animal owners participated in the celebrations.
The Brooke (Pakistan) being the largest animal welfare organization in Pakistan works primarily with working animals (horses, donkeys and mules) and their owners by providing:
- Free veterinary services for equines
- Building the capacity of community members in basic management practices to take care of the health and welfare of their animals
- Building capacity of the local service providers for better health and welfare of working animals
- Creating awareness and education in animal owning communities on preventative husbandry practices
- Creating awareness with provincial livestock departments, individuals and groups, plus like-minded NGOs
Speakers highlighted the need to work towards the better welfare of all animals including horses, donkeys and mules. They stressed the impact of these animals' work on economy, in the wake of rising living and commodities costs. The also stressed on how important the productivity of working animals is for the livelihoods of poor animal owning communities.
Livestock department and SRSO representatives appreciated the endeavours of the Brooke for working animal welfare and sustainable livelihoods of the poor equine owners. They appreciated the continuous endeavours of the Brooke to make the life of animals free from suffering and disease. The Livestock department officials assured that the department will continue supporting the efforts of the Brooke.
The equine owners reiterated their desire to give best possible life to their equines, as the donkeys, horses and mules are their loyal and long standing earning partners. Participants of the world animal day celebrations also participated in a walk with Brooke staff to show solidarity with the cause of Brooke, Pakistan.