NEW YORK/ROME – On International Dog Day 2022 the United Nations celebrated its canine unit. These German Shepards mostly work as sniffer dogs patrolling the New York Headquarters premises, and playing an important role in the protection of its staff, delegates and visitors. “We love our furry colleagues!”, reads a message on Twitter of @VisitUN, the official account of the New York Visitors’ Services.
The day has been celebrated also by the Italian Ministry of Defense and by branches of Italy’s Armed Forces. “Every day, in Italy and abroad, they work with us to provide safety to our Country”, the Ministry said, posting an image that represents its “thank you” for the precious work of its “four-legged friends”.
International Dog Day was first celebrated in 2004 by animal welfare activist and pet lifestyle expert Colleen Paige. Ms Paige chose the date of August 26 in particular as it was on this date that the activist’s family adopted their first dog “Sheltie” from the local animal shelter. Ms Colleen was 10 when the family welcomed Sheltie into their fold.
According to Ms Paige, International Dog Day is set aside to “support all breeds and varieties of dogs”. Emphasis is also laid on discouraging the purchase of dogs from unethical backyard breeders and puppy mills, focussing instead on adoption from rescue homes.
(@OnuItalia)
