World Food Day is observed annually on October 16 to mark the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 1945. World Animal Day is celebrated every year on October 4 in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, following a concept introduced by Heinrich Zimmermann. In India, the first week of October is observed as Wildlife Week. Marking these occasions, World Animal Protection has reiterated the need to address animal suffering in factory farms and in captivity for entertainment.
“As the global community observes World Food Day on October 16, 2026, under the guiding theme ‘Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.’ attention turns intensely toward building truly sustainable food and agricultural systems. In India, achieving comprehensive food security requires looking far beyond food availability to address the profound confluence of agriculture, animal welfare, and ecosystem conservation. True food security cannot exist in isolation from how we treat sentient creatures and the fragile natural networks that sustain all life on Earth,” said Gajender Kumar Sharma, Country Director of World Animal Protection in India.
Livestock farming for food is also linked to the destruction of pristine forests. World Animal Protection has been promoting plant-based diets as a more responsible and environmentally friendly approach. The organisation has also highlighted the importance of proper labelling of vegetarian, non-vegetarian and vegan products to help consumers understand their impact on the planet.
The recently concluded BRICS Summit in India included references to zoonotic diseases in its declaration, along with cooperation on zoonotic threats and global health security, biodiversity conservation, the protection of rare species and big cats, and sustainable livestock development. The Government of India has informed World Animal Protection that animal welfare and wildlife trade will be addressed at future BRICS gatherings, where appropriate.
The Indian government has also expressed a positive approach towards the One Health concept, which encompasses animal welfare, human health and environmental protection. According to World Animal Protection, factory farming increases the risks associated with zoonoses and epidemics. Following the coronavirus outbreak, the organisation has stressed the need for humane treatment of animals in all circumstances and systemic changes to animal-rearing practices used to produce meat, fish, dairy and eggs.
World Animal Protection has welcomed the Government of India's second Anti-Microbial Resistance Plan, which addresses concerns associated with the irresponsible use of antibiotics in the chicken and livestock-rearing industries. Such practices can harm animal welfare, human health and the environment. The organisation continues to engage with stakeholders across wildlife conservation and food systems to eliminate cruelty to animals.
As part of its engagement during World Animal Day and Wildlife Week, World Animal Protection conducted an animal-welfare sensitisation programme involving more than 250 students, parents and teachers. The programme took place during an NGO gathering organised by Cambridge School, Srinivaspuri, on the occasion of a Parent-Teacher meeting.
The event facilitated discussions and interactions that highlighted instances of animal abuse in food, fashion and wildlife entertainment. Several participants expressed interest in finding humane alternatives to animal-derived products such as fur, leather, feathers and silk. They also resolved not to support animal abuse in wildlife entertainment by avoiding elephant rides and refusing to attend close-contact sessions with big cats at captive tiger venues in countries such as Thailand.
As part of its ongoing corporate engagement, five tour companies—UnBound Expeditions, Going Wild Tours, Hetalbon Resort, North East Travels and Wild Paw Adventures—have taken World Animal Protection's wildlife-friendly pledge. These companies do not offer elephant rides in their itineraries. Engagement with relevant government and non-government agencies to develop humane food systems is also continuing.
World Animal Protection has emphasised the need for robust research and investigation into the protection of India's wild spaces from the impacts of factory farming. In this context, the organisation has highlighted the book Rewilding India: The CWS Story, written by Deepa Padmanaban and edited by Dr. Krithi K. Karanth. Considerable work remains to determine how raising animals for food affects India's wild spaces, and the book offers insights into the importance of protecting wild areas in India and beyond.
The organisation has also raised concerns about unprecedented levels of wildlife trade worldwide. India has become a hotspot for wild animal seizures, pointing to growing demand for non-native exotic pets. World Animal Protection has acknowledged the contributions of influencers such as Bhagyashree and Koneenica Banerjee in promoting compassion towards animals in different aspects of life.
World Animal Protection said its campaign for the humane treatment of all sentient beings would continue through engagement with stakeholders, awareness initiatives and efforts to address cruelty across wildlife entertainment, animal agriculture and consumer practices.
For further information, Gajender Kumar Sharma, Country Director of World Animal Protection in India, can be contacted at gajenderksharma@worldanimalprotection.org.in or +91 9313333283.
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