India celebrates the 13th National Animal Rights Day (NARD) by raising awareness for animal rights

June 7th, 2023

For the uninitiated, National Animal Rights Day (NARD) is an annual day marked in an increasing number of nations around the world on the first Sunday in June. One of its primary goals is to commemorate the billions of animals that are slaughtered for human needs in a respectful manner. Established in 2011 by the non-profit ‘Our Planet, Theirs Too’, earlier this week, NARD 13 was celebrated in 35 cities throughout India, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Chennai, Goa, Jaipur, and others. The day was observed in over 200 places worldwide, including New York, Toronto, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Perth, Hong Kong, and Manila. 

Notably, the event is one of the world's largest worldwide coordinated animal rights events. Read on to discover how the event took place in several cities across India.

Commemorating animals in Rajkot

Memorializing billions of animals slaughtered each year

The event aims to demonstrate to the general public the consequences of cruel animal treatment and to memorialize the billions of animals slaughtered each year for food, fur, skins, laboratory experiments, and entertainment. Quoting on the urgency of all to unite and deliver a powerful message this year, Rajeshwar Singh, Country Coordinator, Our Planet, Theirs Too, said, “Let us shatter all the barriers that divide us and work hand in hand towards the cause of animal liberation. We must stand up for the innocent beings that share our planet to live free from exploitation. Let us pledge to make a difference in the world, be the change we wish to see, and create a future where all animals are treated with the respect and compassion they deserve.”

Declaration Signing in Jabalpur

A public memorial service was held in Bengaluru for deceased animals 

Animal lovers gathered at the war monument on Brigade Road on Sunday to observe National Animal Rights Day, hosted by not-for-profit ‘Our Planet, Theirs Too’. With the same enthusiasm in their hearts, animal rights activists marched in 150 major cities around the world to remember the 13th NARD, including Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Toronto, Copenhagen, London, Paris, and Perth. The participants reportedly said, “The aim was to commemorate the billions of animals which die every year, educate the public about cruelty-free alternatives and celebrate the progress being made toward ending their suffering.” A public memorial service for deceased animals was held, as well as a celebration of their impending emancipation from humanity's rule. “It’s ‘Memorial Day’ and ‘Independence Day’ for the animals, combined,” a participant said. 

NARD initiatives in Delhi NCR saw rescued dogs from 20 shelters have a fun day out 

Rescued dogs at Delhi-NCR's 20 shelters were walked out of the dark confines of a shelter home with volunteers for a fun-filled journey that included a long walk, massage, pampering, and lots of sweets. The pooches were surprised when volunteers bonded with these canines who spent their lives at these facilities. According to Ambika Shukla, trustee for People For Animals (PFA), the majority of the dogs at these shelters are picked up from the street and are either sick, injured, or abandoned by their families. A lot of these dogs at shelters have burns, wounds, limb loss, paralysis, blindness, and other irreversible disabilities. 

Shelters such as Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre, Niti Jeev Ashray Welfare Trust, Friendicoes, Sonadi, PetMumma Animal Care Centre, Perroayuda Recovery Centre in Delhi, Earthlings Trust, Kannan Animal Welfare, Nishabd, House of Stray Animals, Posh Foundation, Goldy's Heaven Foundation, Abbo Foundation in Noida, People For Animals, Voice of Voiceless, Janm Foundation, Karma Animal Foundation in Gurugram and Faridabad participated in the event.

Volunteers found interaction with dogs to be therapeutic 

“Most people never realise the effort and care that goes into the cleaning, treating, caring for and feeding of such large patient numbers with more coming in each day. For many volunteers, it was their first-time visit to a shelter, and they were both moved and enthused by the experience. They had not expected the levels of suffering they saw, the levels of care being given, and most of all, the enormous opportunity for them to make a difference,” a statement from IUFAR said. 

According to Smita Joshi of the Janm Foundation in Gurugram, many volunteers found the interaction with dogs to be therapeutic. “For us at the shelter, it was a blessing to have extra working, caring, helping hands, and it was sheer joy for the dogs. Overall, a win-win,” Joshi said.

Given the positive response to the event, IUFAR intends to make such engagement a regular weekend shelter volunteer initiative.

The National Animal Rights Day March in Mumbai

NARD initiatives in Guwahati

On Sunday, Guwahati commemorated National Animal Rights Day (NARD) alongside 35 cities in India and 200 towns internationally. The event was held for the first time in Guwahati and was organised by the non-profit organisation 'Our Planet Theirs Too'. Animal activists Saubhagya Sharma and Prarona Saikia too participated in the event.

A Memorial Ceremony was held to remember the billions of animals that die each year as a result of human atrocities on them for food, fur, skins, laboratory experiments, and entertainment. Vegans, animal lovers, animal activists, and ordinary people attended this event to show their compassion, raise awareness, share their opinions, and feed community pets. The ceremony was later concluded with the reading and signing of The Declaration of Animal Rights.