Today is the feast Day of Saint Roch
There are many interesting facts about Saint Roch that have made him a beloved figure throughout history. In many European countries, dogs are blessed on his feast day in honor of the dog that saved his life. In some cultures, Saint Roch is also associated with the ability to find lost items, due to his reputation for finding and healing lost souls.
International Homeless Animal Day
International Homeless Animals Day falls on every third Saturday in August, which will be August 16 this year, and is honored with events and increasing participation every year. The International Society for Animal Rights introduced the day to spread awareness about pet overpopulation and has done meaningful work since, including saving the lives of millions of animals.
Conceived and first commemorated by ISAR (INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS) in 1992, ISAR’s International Homeless Animals’ Day is a worldwide recognized and observed event commemorated annually on the third Saturday in August. This year the date is August 16th.
On International Homeless Animals’ Day, ISAR along with animal protection organizations, veterinary professionals, corporate executives, law enforcement, emergency responders, elected officials, local celebrities, museums, libraries, communications and media outlets, retail establishments, community organizations, e-commerce companies, art galleries, educational institutions, community activists, volunteer groups, sports teams, youth clubs, schoolchildren and others join together to publicize the spay/neuter and adoption message. This worldwide educational effort is aimed at halting the euthanasia and suffering of unwanted companion animals and cats and dogs that have been abandoned on the streets.
