World Animal Day – The benefits of living with a pet!

During this year's World Animal Day, Mr. of the Hellenic Veterinary Society, Kostis Handras, speaking to APE-MPE, describes what the offer of companion animals is to the often lonely modern man, but not only.

"Over the centuries and in modern culture as it has been shaped and as things and relationships have evolved, man often does not find peace, cooperation and companionship in another human being. Many times, and there are many examples, this gap was filled by animals. We see this in practice every day and it is experienced every day by a person who has a companion animal in his home. The crises, economic and other, of recent years have confirmed this, to a large extent", emphasizes Mr. who own animals probably increased despite the financial difficulties they had to deal with their animals' health problems. And this is due to the fact that in difficult times, critical moments, everyone finds a release and companionship in their animal."

Greece in recent decades has made leaps and bounds regarding respect for animals, while the number of people who have raised awareness around these issues has also increased a lot.

"The dominant theme is respect for animals. In other words, how do we make individuals and societies and new generations more sensitive so that they take responsibility towards every living creature on our planet and especially towards companion animals. We must ensure their basic rights to food, water, health and well-being and protect them against all exploitation and violent abuse. These have also been ensured in Greece with legislation since 2003, but beyond the papers, respect for animals must become everyone's experience and part of everyone's education", Mr. Handras points out.

Pagoshmia Daya of Animals

World Animal Day was first celebrated in 1931 at an environmentalist conference in Florence as a way to raise public and expert awareness of endangered animals. Since then, the celebration has expanded to include all species of the animal kingdom.

October 4 was established as World Animal Day because it coincides with the commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi, who has been recognized by the Catholic Church as a protector of animals and the environment.

The feastbal "Discover Dogs 2017"

The festival "Discover Dogs 2017", held for the first time in Greece on November 4 and 5, promotes the effort to improve the living conditions of animals carried out for years by people with animal welfare concerns.

It is a celebration that focuses on highlighting the problems faced by animals in Greek society and at the same time provides knowledge to the thousands of guardians who visit the festival in order to improve the everyday life of their companion animals.

In "Discover Dogs 2017" one will have the opportunity to meet different breeds of dogs from their guardians, learn their special characteristics, their needs and exchange opinions on how to offer them a better future.