Animals feel joy and pain. Some play tricks on each other (and on us). Some recognise themselves in mirrors. Others flash brilliant colours or carry a favourite stone for life. Animals are smart, fascinating, and full of surprises.
What brought the member organisations of the World Federation for Animals (WFA) to this work? What made us want to speak up for animals? This World Animal Day, WFA is sharing those stories — to show why animals matter, and why we all care.
The following videos are part of #CelebrateAllAnimals, a campaign led by WFA for World Animal Day with the collaboration of its member organisations. Each story highlights the deep connection between a WFA member and animals and why we strive for a better world for every species.
Ed Goodall | World Federation for Animals
Ed Goodall from the World Federation for Animals shares what brought him to work with animals and some surprising facts about the bowhead whale.
Sophika Kostyniuk | Aquatic Life Institute
Sophika Kostyniuk from Aquatic Life Institute shares what brought her to work with animals and a personal experience she had with a lemon shark.
Nicole Green | American Anti-Vivisection Society
Nicole Green from the American Anti-Vivisection Society shares what brought her to work with animals and the reason behind her advocacy for those used in science and education.
Susan Millward | Animal Welfare Institute
Susan Millward from the Animal Welfare Institute reflects on what led her to work with animals and the passion that drives her advocacy.
Louise Bonomi | Animals Australia
Louise Bonomi from Animals Australia talks about her care for animals and her hope for a kinder future for kangaroos.
Iselda Livoni | ARBA Peru
Iselda Livoni from ARBA Peru reflects on the start of her advocacy journey and her commitment to the animals most often exploited: farm animals.
Izzy Hocking | Brooke
Izzy Hocking from Brooke reveals little-known facts about donkeys and what drives her care for these animals.
Tozie Zokufa | Coalition of African Animal Welfare Organisations
Tozie Zokufa from the Coalition of African Animal Welfare Organisations shares his journey into animal advocacy and a surprising fact about chickens.
Philip Lymbery | Compassion in World Farming
Philip Lymbery from Compassion in World Farming shares a fascinating fact about pigs and the reason behind his 40 years of advocacy for animals.
Monica Engebretson | Cruelty Free International
Monica Engebretson from Cruelty Free International reflects on her love for rabbits and what drives her work for rodents and other lab animals.
Wasseem Emam | Ethical Seafood Research
Wasseem Emam from Ethical Seafood Research shares what made him care about animals and a few surprising facts about the Nile tilapia.
Reineke Hameleers | Eurogroup for Animals
Reineke Hameleers from Eurogroup for Animals shares how she began her journey helping animals and why she works to improve policies for their protection.
Josef Pfabigan | FOUR PAWS
Josef Pfabigan from FOUR PAWS shares what brought him to his work for animals and a significant moment he experienced with a hunting dog.
Sasa Vernandes | Sintesia Animalia
Sasa Vernandes from Sintesia Animalia shares some very interesting facts about orangutans and the reason behind her journey into animal advocacy.
Camila Cortínez | Te Protejo
Camila Cortínez from Te Protejo shares her reason for starting to care for animals and why we must protect those used in testing cosmetics, sharing some of their individualities.
Tricia Croasdell | World Animal Protection
Tricia Croasdell from World Animal Protection shares how she started her journey into animal advocacy and how monkeys from a very early age sparked her curiosity for animals.
Malcolm Morley | World Horse Welfare
Malcolm Morley from World Horse Welfare shares what made him care about animals and why they are so fascinating.
Join us to #CelebrateAllAnimals this World Animal Day!
We also invite you to share your own story and experiences with animals using the campaign hashtag. Let’s celebrate the amazing connections we all have with animals together.
Discover more stories from WFA members
