Each year on October 2nd since 1983, World Day for Farmed Animals (WDFA) has been recognized worldwide. Now in its 40th year, this event encourages vegans and activists to help shed light on the billions of animals killed each year for food. In 2023, FARM focused more on fishes which brings that annual number into the trillions. WDFA is a program of Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM).
As with past years, WDFA has included demonstrations, protests, tabling, the fast against slaughter and government proclamation requests to all U.S. states, cities, and territories. This year, World Day for Farmed Animals was proclaimed in Washington state, Puerto Rico, and Port St. Lucie, Florida.
In 2023, new WDFA leaflets were printed and distributed during the Syracuse Vegfest (September 23) and the 13th annual Albany VegFest (October 1) where Eric C Lindstrom took the stage as a featured speaker and emcee, respectively. These same brochures were disseminated on Cornell University campus to hundreds of students and staff members of this Ivy League University.
Also in 2023, FARM created a new WDFA video that was shared across all social media channels and features the numbers of each animal killed for food each year which accompanied The Farm Buzz article, “10 Ways to Get Involved on World Day for Farmed Animals.”
On September 25th, a WDFA editorial letter was published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (circulation ~300,000) and a 40th anniversary press release was sent to a dozen vegan publications and 90+ traditional publications (no known pickups). Additionally, WDFA was published in “We Are All Animals,” “Krishi Jagran” (blog), “Cornwall Seaway News,” and “The Hans India.” The Rutland Herald published this piece about WDFA.
On the afternoon of October 1, Addison Lantz went live on social media with a plant-based cooking demonstration. While preparing New England-inspired “Lobsta Rolls,” Addison wove in WDFA messaging and furthered the discussion about sea life (not seafood) and invited attendees to “feast before the fast” on these delicious, plant-based lobsta rolls.
On October 1, FARM published their monthly CHARM interview featuring Mary Finelli of Fish Feel. Her work for fishes, when tied into WDFA, delivered the right messaging for the start of the month (and the day before WDFA). Mary also requested a Maryland proclamation as well as submitted an EdLetter on behalf of WDFA.
Vegan Outreach Scotland held an outreach event for WDFA in Aberdeen, Scotland. The event included conversations about veganism, plant-based food samples, and a 3-minute movie challenge.
Online mentions across social media included the following organizations:
- Animal Agriculture/Climate Change
- Animal Justice Project
- Barn Sanctuary
- Good Heart Animal Sanctuaries
- PETA
- PETA UK
- Vegan Australia
- Vegan Outreach
- Veganuary