Be Kind to Animals Week 2024: Join the Kindness Revolution with Edgar's Mission

This is a Guest Blog written by the team at Edgar's Mission - an organisation we're supporting in our All-One! International Giving Program.

As we gear up for the 14th annual Be Kind to Animals Week, Edgar's Mission invites animal lovers from all walks of life to join in a global movement of compassion and reflection. Taking place from October 1st to 7th, this week-long celebration is not just about raising awareness but also about inspiring simple yet powerful acts of kindness towards all living beings. It serves as a gentle reminder of the interconnectedness between humans and non-human animals, encouraging each of us to reflect on how we can make a positive difference in the lives of those we share the planet with.

“Animals enrich our lives in so many ways,” said Pam Ahern, Edgar’s Mission’s Founder. “From our companions at home, to wildlife, aquatic animals, birds, and our much-loved farmed animal friends. We all know that we should be kind to animals every day of the year, but in our busy lives, sometimes that’s easy to forget.”

Be Kind to Animals Week is a reminder to pause, reconnect, and make conscious choices that positively affect animals everywhere. Whether it’s through dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments, or supporting organisations dedicated to animal well-being, this week gives us the chance to start, or continue, making a real difference.

Why We Need a Week Dedicated to Kindness

Science has now weighed in, declaring that animals are capable of feeling a wide range of emotions — love, joy, fear, and grief — just like us. They communicate in complex ways, form bonds, and desire to live meaningful lives. Yet, despite these shared characteristics, many animals are treated differently simply because of the way they look or how humans have decided to use them. While cats and dogs are often cherished as family members, farmed animals, marine life, and wildlife are not always given the same level of care or respect.

Be Kind to Animals Week serves as a “grounding point,” as Pam Ahern puts it, reminding us that our actions, no matter how small, have a significant impact on the fellow beings with whom we share this world. Whether it’s choosing a plant-based meal, avoiding products tested on animals, or taking part in community efforts like clean-up events, this week is a chance to realign our actions with our values.

The Kindness Pledge: Simple Acts That Create Big Change

At the heart of Be Kind to Animals Week is the Kindness Pledge — a commitment that anyone, regardless of age or lifestyle, can take to support animals in meaningful ways. The pledge is more than just a symbolic gesture; it’s a call to action that encompasses a variety of activities, including:

1. Choosing Plant-Based Meals: By opting for plant-based meals, you help reduce the demand for animal products and alleviate the suffering of farmed animals. One kind bite at a time really can make a world of difference.
2. Performing Random Acts of Kindness: Whether it’s helping a neighbour with their pet or supporting local wildlife by leaving out water or shelter, small acts of kindness can have far-reaching effects.
3. Ethical Shopping: Every time you purchase products, you have the opportunity to support cruelty-free brands that do not test on animals, use animal-derived ingredients or engage in human exploitation.
4. Supporting Animal Welfare Organisations: Volunteering, donating, or even spreading awareness about the work of animal charities can contribute significantly to their missions. Edgar's Mission, for instance, relies on the generosity of supporters to continue rescuing and advocating for animals.
5. Environmental Stewardship: Organising a clean-up event in your community or local park not only helps wildlife but also fosters a sense of connection with nature. Ensuring that our shared environment is safe and clean is one of the best ways to support animals living in the wild.

Why Be Kind to All Animals?

It’s easy to extend kindness to animals we share our homes with, like cats and dogs. But why should this compassion stop there? The truth is, every animal, whether they are in the ocean, the wild, or on a farm, has the same fundamental desire: to live free from harm, to experience joy, and to form bonds with others.

Farmed animals, like pigs, cows, chickens, and sheep, often face the harsh realities of unjust animal protection laws. However, if you spend time with them, it’s clear that they are no different from our beloved pets. Pigs are known to be as intelligent as dogs, while cows can form deep emotional bonds with both humans and their fellow animals. Chickens, the most maligned animals of all, are highly social individuals with unique personalities.

Marine life, too, is frequently overlooked in our efforts to protect animals. Dolphins, whales, and fish show complex behaviours, social interactions, and communication skills. Yet, fishing and ocean pollution continue to threaten their existence.

Wildlife in our backyards and forests face their own set of challenges, particularly with habitat destruction, climate change, and human-wildlife conflicts. Simple actions like providing water for birds and wildlife, supporting conservation efforts and driving more carefully at dawn and dusk, can go a long way in protecting these animals.

The reason we tend to treat these animals differently is simple: they look different. Their appearances and environments may not resemble the familiar furry faces we welcome into our homes, but their desire for happiness, safety, and freedom is just as strong.

Your Actions Matter: Join the Kindness Revolution

Edgar's Mission hopes to change the way we think about animals, and Be Kind to Animals Week is a powerful starting point. By taking the Kindness Pledge, you’re not just making a commitment for one week—you’re joining a global movement that seeks to change how animals, in all of their glorious forms, are perceived and treated in our world.

“And with your help, we can be that important change!” says Pam Ahern. Never before have we had so much power. It’s through our daily choices, what we choose to buy or not buy, to eat or not eat, to say or not say, that we can really make the world a kinder, more just place for all.

Whether you’re a lifelong animal advocate or someone just beginning to explore the world of animal rights and well-being, your participation in Be Kind to Animals Week can have a lasting impact. You can help reshape a future where all animals are treated with the kindness, dignity, and respect they deserve.