Check out all the ways to participate in World Day for Farmed Animals (WDFA).
Simple steps to a successful event:
- Pick an activity, time, and location
- Prepare a detailed action plan, including required steps, materials, and responsibilities
- Recruit friends, activists, and volunteers to help you
- Check if a permit is required and apply for one if needed
- Promote your event on social media
- During and after the event, post photos on social media
- Use hashtags #wdfa and #worlddayforfarmedanimals
- Gather any videos, props, food samples, or other materials needed
- Speak out for farmed animals!
- We do not encourage anyone to break local, state, or federal laws in these actions. You are a much better advocate for the animals not behind bars!
Leafleting
Leafleting is an effective yet simple activity that requires little planning and time commitment, and can be done with one or more people. Check out the leafleting artwork available in the Resources tab!
Here are some tips for successful leafleting:
- Many jurisdictions do not require a permit if you are on public property and not impeding the flow of traffic, so choose your location wisely;
- Dress like your audience: Leafleting outside a conference center, consider dressing business casual; outside a sporting event, consider wearing a team jersey if you have one; or consider a t-shirt that conveys your message;
- Strategically position yourself and volunteers to interact with as many passersby as possible;
- People follow examples of those before them, so be assertive with the first few people in each new wave, to get as many people interested as possible;
- Be sure to create a safe environment for yourself, volunteers, and passersby;
- Have online and/or print resources ready for people that want more information;
- Keep track of the number of leaflets you distribute, so you can gauge the success of the event, and;
- Drop off a few leaflets at your local newsstand, restaurant, library, or other public place that allows for brochure distribution!
Film Screenings
Invite your friends, family, and community to a watch party to view your favorite vegan film. Make sure you have viewed the film yourself beforehand, so you are prepared to answer questions before and after the screening.
Here are some tips for a successful film screening:
- Carefully select a film or video you believe will resonate with your audience;
- We recommend FARM’s 10 Billion Lives video;
- Create an eye-catching invitation that includes date, time, place, and name of the film;
- Make sure your screen is big enough for everyone attending to see;
- Make sure you have an adequate speaker so everyone can hear;
- For online screenings, choose a popular public platform with easy and free access;
- Make sure you have access to a reliable internet connection;
- Have online and/or print resources ready for people that want more information;
- Be prepared to talk and answer audience questions after the screening;
- Consider having drinks and snacks available after the screening to encourage people to stick around and reflect on what they just learned.
Tabling
Tabling is typically most effective as part of a festival or other organized event. Tabling offers people opportunities to pick up literature, ask questions, and perhaps even sample some delicious plant-based foods.
Here are suggestions for successful tabling:
- Find a local festival or event and apply to be an exhibitor;
- If you are tabling not in conjunction with an event, check to see if you need a permit;
- Make your table attractive by using a tablecloth, banner, colorful posters, interesting video, or other eye catching props;
- Add an intriguing element, like food samples or vegan starter guides;
- Keep the table top uncluttered to highlight what you want people to take away;
- Engage passersby with friendly eye contact, a smile, and an invitation to visit your table;
- Position a volunteer outside your booth to help direct traffic your way;
- Have online and/or print resources ready for people that want more information, and;
- Keep track of the number of goods you distribute, so you can gauge the success of the event.
Vigils
A vigil is a gathering of activists at the gates of slaughterhouses to bear witness to the animals being brought in for slaughter, in order to expose and dismantle the cruelty of our food systems. They offer a strong declaration of the mission of World Day for Farmed Animals.
Tips for a successful vigil:
- Find a slaughterhouse or similar target near you;
- Targets in high traffic areas can have bigger impacts for the animals;
- Gather as many participants as possible;
- Have each participant hold two signs and spread participants out;
- Black clothing is recommended to call attention to the mourning for the animals;
- Signs and banners can be professionally printed or handmade;
- Signs should avoid offensive symbolism and symbolism/slogans appropriated from other movements.
- Signs should be large enough to read from passing cars
- Some slogans to consider:
- Stop the Slaughter – Go Vegan!
- Save lives, theirs and ours
- Non-violence begins at breakfast
- If you pet a dog, don’t eat a pig!
- Love animals – don’t eat them!
- Chants can serve to accentuate the vigil and to capture the attention of passersby;
- Consider other props such as candles, a realistic-looking cardboard coffin, or “bloody” aprons;
- Encourage all participants to post about their experience on social media;
- Be sure to include photos and videos!
Want to participate in other vigils? Check out The Save Movement! The Save Movement’s mission is to hold vigils at slaughterhouses worldwide and to bear witness to every exploited animal. Click here for more.
Get Involved with Your Local Veg Group(s)
Look for a vegan or veg group that is active in your area! Many towns have them and many cities have more than one. These groups hold events you can participate in or even help plan. If there isn’t a veg group in your area, this is your chance to start one!
Getting involved with a local veg group can help you with any of the above events and help with larger-scale events such as:
- Marches, which require a minimum of about 100 participants, permits, routes, and more;
- Car caravans, with a dozen or more cars decorated with signs and honking horns;
- Outdoor billboards, which require purchasing space for at least one month from local or national billboard companies. (We can provide the art!);
- Banner drops from overpasses over busy highways;
- Public exhibits such as large photographs of factory farm and slaughterhouse scenes placed on easels in a public square or in a community building like a library or student union.
- Chalking, which is drawing pictures and slogans in chalk on sidewalks, outside restaurants, government buildings, and other public areas;
- Street theater: Eye catching and thought provoking street scenes such as:
- Humans in animal costumes being chased and slaughtered by a “butcher” wearing a “bloody” apron;
- Humans with minimal flesh-colored clothing covered in “blood” and displayed in cellophane containers as at a meat counter;
- Several humans crammed in a cage to dramatize the condition of animals
- Dozens of humans wearing black, spread on the ground pretending to be dead, outlined in chalk;
- Dozens of humans in uniform color and arranged in precise formation holding up signs or fake bodies of dead animals;
- Silent protests with video screens or signs in heavily trafficked areas
- Each scene should be accompanied by prominent signage noting the occasion and explaining the action.
- These methods can help attract the news media and draw more attention to WDFA’s mission.
Creating and Sharing on Social Media
In this digital age, leveraging the power of social media is a must for causes like the World Day for Farmed Animals (WDFA). Whether holding a vigil, conducting a film screening, or sharing impactful images, your online presence can amplify any message exponentially. Sharing genuine, engaging content is the key to drawing attention and inspiring others to join the cause. When posting about WDFA or related activities, don’t forget to use the provided hashtags to become a part of the global conversation. Using the right hashtags unites communities and boosts post visibility on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others. Add the World Day for Farmed Animals hashtags to every post, video, story, or image, such as #wdfa and #worlddayforfarmedanimals. Remember, every social media post, like, share, and comment can help expand the boundaries of awareness while driving collective action toward a compassionate world for farmed animals. Harness the power of social media, and let your voice be heard!
General: #animalrights #vegan #vegans #govegan #veganism #veganfortheanimals #friendsnotfood #veganlife #compassion #vegancommunity #vegetarian #veganforlife #loveanimals #saveanimals #animalactivist #wdfa #worlddayforfarmedanimals #farmanimalrightsmovement #plantbased #climatechange #farmanimals #activist #vegangirl
Instagram specific: #vegansofinstagram #animalsofinstagram
TikTok specific: #vegansoftiktok #vegantok