World Animal Day: Help “Bring Animals to Parliament”
Join FOUR PAWS in Advocating for Animal Welfare at the “Bring Animals to Parliament” Gathering
Cape Town, 13 September 2024 – FOUR PAWS is urging the community to join them at the “Bring Animals to Parliament” gathering on October 4, 2024, in front of the South African Parliament in Cape Town from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This significant event, held on World Animal Day, calls on the public to support a Memorandum urging lawmakers to prioritise animal welfare in national legislation. Through advocacy, symbolic artwork, and community participation, FOUR PAWS aims to make animal sentience a legislative priority.
The event will feature speeches from Fiona Miles, Director of FOUR PAWS South Africa, and Kajal Bagwandeen, FOUR PAWS Ambassador. Attendees will witness the handover of a 1.5-meter tapestry, symbolising the unified call for change, as well as the launch of our Animal Welfare Guide for a Kinder World under the #LiveKinder campaign.
Miles expresses the urgency of the event, stating, “This is a pivotal moment for us to come together and make the welfare of animals a national priority. The South African government must recognise that animals are sentient beings deserving of protection. Through this gathering, we are not only advocating for policy changes but also for a compassionate and kinder future for all living beings.”
Participants are encouraged to arrive by 9:00 AM for check-in, design your own animal welfare placard, paint your face in your favourite animal, and dress in animal-themed attire to show solidarity. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with like-minded advocates and support the movement for compassionate, animal-friendly policies in South Africa.
Event Details:
- Date: Friday October 4, 2024
- Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Check-in starts at 9:00 AM)
- Location: Parliament of South Africa, 120 Plein Street, Cape Town
- Attire: Animal-themed attire encouraged
- Important Note: No live animals will be present at the event to ensure their safety.
Event Program
The gathering will feature a robust program, including:
- A warm welcome by our MC
- Followed by acapella choir Brothers and Sisters Art Organisation from the Rainbow Arts Organisation performing the South African Anthem
- A word from our FOUR PAWS Ambassador – Kajal Bagwandeen
- Followed by a spoken word poetry performance by Anele Kose from the Rainbow Arts Organisation
- Followed by a live marimba band performance by Women Unite from the Rainbow Arts Organisation
- Followed by the launch of our animal welfare guide for a Kinder World #LiveKinder by Celiwe Shivambu FOUR PAWS Campaign Officer
- Fiona Miles, FOUR PAWS Director will deliver the keynote speech and official handover & unveiling of the FOUR PAWS ‘Bring Animals to Parliament’ tapestry created by the Keiskamma Art Project to representatives from DFFE, DALRRD, Health, and Justice
No live animals will be present to avoid stress or harm. Media coverage is welcomed, with event highlights and statements available after the gathering.
For more information on the event and to register, visit the official event page here.
/ENDS
Deidre Daniels
Public Relations Officer+27 (0)21 702 4277
+27 (0)78 675 8220
9B Bell Crescent, Westlake Business Park,
Green Building, Cape Town, 7945
A Public Relations professional with over eight years’ experience in fostering positive relationships between organisations and media.
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FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org.za