Every year on 2nd October, people around the world mark World Farmed Animals Day. The date was chosen because it is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who believed deeply in compassion for all living beings.
As Gandhi wrote:
“I believe that all life is one… To my mind the life of a lamb is no less precious than that of a human being.” mkgandhi.org
This day reminds us that farmed animals are not just units of production. They are sentient creatures with feelings – a theme we explored in our recent blog about animal sentience: Do Animals Feel Pain
What is World Farmed Animals Day?
World Farmed Animals Day was created to raise awareness of the conditions faced by billions of animals used for food every year. From cows and pigs to fish and chickens, these animals live, feel, and suffer.
The campaign encourages us to:
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Reflect on where our food comes from
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Reduce the demand for factory farming
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Support higher-welfare farming practices
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Recognise that animals have value beyond what they provide us
Why does sentience matter?
Sentience means the ability to feel. Studies show that farmed animals:
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Experience emotions such as fear, stress, and joy
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Form friendships and family bonds
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Show curiosity and playfulness
Recognising sentience changes everything. When we see animals as individuals with inner lives, our choices carry more weight.
How does farming affect the planet and extinction?
The impact of factory farming extends beyond the animals themselves:
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Deforestation – Growing animal feed destroys wild habitats
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Greenhouse gases – Raising billions of animals for food produces huge amounts of greenhouse gases, pushing our climate into crisis.
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Biodiversity loss – This occurs as land is taken from wildlife
At Rockford’s Rock Opera, we created a world where the last one of every extinct species lives on the Island of Infinity. Each has a secret to share. World Farmed Animals Day is a reminder that it is our duty is to value and protect all living creatures.
What can we do to help… even if we’re not vegan?
World Farmed Animals Day isn’t about guilt. It’s about awareness and making kinder choices. You don’t have to give up meat completely to make a difference. Even small changes matter.
Here are some positive steps everyone can take:
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Eat more plants – Even one or two meat-free days a week reduces pressure on animals and the planet.
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Choose higher-welfare produce – Look for RSPCA Assured, organic, or free-range labels. Animals raised this way have better lives.
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Support local farmers – Smaller, local producers often keep higher standards of care.
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Try plant-based alternatives – Modern options taste great, are healthier, and cut environmental impact.
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Waste less food – Valuing what we buy means fewer animals are killed and fewer resources wasted.
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Support charities – Groups like World Animal Protection who work tirelessly to ensure farmed animals live good lives by transforming the global food system and attitudes towards farm animal welfare.
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Educate and inspire – Share knowledge with children, friends, and communities to spread compassion.
Why it matters
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Animals: Every small step reduces suffering for millions of creatures.
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The planet: Livestock farming is a major source of greenhouse gases — eating less helps slow climate change.
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Your health: Plant-rich diets can reduce risks of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
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Future generations: Teaching children to make compassionate choices shapes a kinder, more sustainable world.
Every step towards compassion helps animals, people, and the planet.
What about farmers in the UK?
In the UK, many farmers are already working hard to raise standards. Higher-welfare systems — such as free-range or organic — mean animals have more space, better lives, and healthier outcomes. Farmers who follow these practices often face higher costs, but they’re also helping to create a more sustainable future.
Supporting these farmers matters. When we choose higher-welfare produce, we encourage and reward the farmers who are trying to do things differently. It’s not about blaming all farmers, but about shifting the food system so that compassion and sustainability become the norm.
As the UK’s Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 reminds us, animals are recognised in law as beings that feel. Farmers, consumers, and policymakers all play a part in turning that principle into everyday practice.
Stories, empathy, and change
World Farmed Animals Day asks us to listen to the secrets of farmed animals, too. To recognise that their lives have meaning and to imagine a kinder way forward.
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For children who love animals:
At Rockford’s Rock Opera, we believe nature’s resilience can inspire both science and imagination. Our story Lost on Infinity explores extinction, biomimicry, and the secrets of the natural world through an unforgettable musical adventure.
Explore our world today:
Get the Lost on Infinity illustrated book with free musical audiobook – a totally immersive experience.
Listen to the first part of the Lost on Infinity audiobook and watch the animated adventure free on Apple App Store and Google Play.
Download our FREE lesson plans and slides about Extinction and Biomimicry. We also have a selection of classroom activities on our website.
For even more exploration of the natural world, tune in to our Stories, Science & Secrets podcast for kids. Join Matthew, Elaine, Steve Punt and special guests, as we delve into the fascinating world of biomimicry and the inspiring ways science learns from nature’s genius.