International Animal Rights Day Date in the current year: December 10, 2024

On December 10, 1948 the UN General Assembly adopted and declared the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to prevent the repetition of World War II and concentration camps. But some years ago activists demanded expansion of the Declaration, stating that animals also have rights not to suffer pain and die because of human activity. At that time the term of speciesism was coined in order to talk about discrimination of the sentient beings due to the species they belong to. Animals can't protect themselves from people, who think that they are superior just because they were born like this.

Observance of International Animal Rights Day draws public attention to the issues of speciesism and discrimination. Annually numerous campaigns are organized on December 10 in order to recognize animal rights, stop deliberate cruelty and killing animals.

There's also a number of other days dedicated to protection of animals. These are World Animal Day, World Day for Laboratory Animals and International Homeless Animals Day.