Animal Week

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29956, 18 October 1962, Page 3

Animal Week

Sir,—lt was announced earlier in the newspapers that last week would be "animal week.” Being myself an animal lover and interested in their care and protection, I was surprised to see no mention of “animal week” or any special activities in connexion with it in Christchurch. Could you enlighten me as to the origin of "animal week” and whether the S.P.C.A. has any special function in it? It would seem an ideal opportunity for the S.P.C.A. to tell the public something about its work for animals and encourage members of the public to join the organisation and participate in its work in one way or another. —Yours, etc., ANIMAL LOVER.

October 7, 1962. [The secretary of the Canterbury S.PC.A. (Mr D. I. Williams) replies: “Animal week is nowadays becoming an international period for the contemplation of the position of animals in the world in which we live. It commences from St. Francis of Assisi’s Day, and various activities are undertaken as a yearly reminder to the public of the dependence of mankind upon animals in many ways, including the provision of food. The Canterbury S.P.C.A. has in the past held its own animal week at the time of its annual street appeal, which is held on a date allocated yearly by the Christchurch City Council. As the date of animal week is now becoming observed internationally, this society may in due course make application for its annual street appeal to be held during that week. Any members of the public who are unaware of this society’s work for animals, or who wish to join its ranks and participate in its work are invited to write to me, care of P.O. Box 1844, Christchurch]