April 4th, 2024 is World Stray Animals Day, a day dedicated to increased awareness of stray animals the world over and the problems they face.

World Stray Animals Day was inaugurated in 2010 by over 100 Dutch organizations convened at the Dutch National Stray Animals Conference. April 4 was selected due to it being exactly 6 months from World Animal Day. By consensus, “stray” animals are defined as pets who have been abandoned or lost, as opposed to domestic species born in the wild who are referred to as “feral” animals.

Helping Stray Animals Around the Globe

Last year, among many other events and initiatives around the globe, the work of global animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS was celebrated in Moldova, where a major sterilization project and enhanced veterinary care for stray animals were provided. The event accomplished the sterilization of close to 500 strays in partnership with Doctor Vet, a local non-profit specializing in meeting the needs of stray animals in Moldova, where over 20,000 stray animals live in the capital of Greater Chisinau alone.

Also, four Animal Welfare Groups in the Netherlands, where World Stray Animals Day was founded, specifically St Maarten Animal Welfare, SXM Paws, Island Puppy Rescue, and Animal Defenders, joined together this year to launch a week-long spay and neuter campaign in all Dutch side communities. Visiting veterinarians performed the procedures at no charge.