The Krka National Park and the Šibenik Paws Association will mark World Animal Protection Day with a joint program at Lozovac, inviting citizens to come with their pets or to learn about animal adoption opportunities
The Krka National Park and the Šibenik Paws Association will mark World Animal Protection Day with a joint program at Lozovac, inviting citizens to come with their pets or to learn about animal adoption opportunities.
The Public Institute of Krka National Park and the Šibenik Paws Association will once again jointly mark World Animal Protection Day this year, reminding people of the importance of responsible animal care. On Saturday, October 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a program dedicated to animals and their responsible treatment and ownership, awaits visitors at Lozovac, near the Krka National Park reception area.
Citizens are invited to attend the event with their pets, to participate in educational activities and a quiz, and to spend time outdoors. Those considering adopting an animal will have the opportunity to learn about the possibilities of providing a home for abandoned animals.
Special attention will be devoted to the youngest visitors. Staff from the Krka National Park will hold educational workshops for them, while the Šibenik Paws Association has prepared a quiz about animal protection, featuring prizes for the most successful participants. A themed photo booth will also be set up, allowing visitors to capture memories of time spent with their pets.
This year's educational activities began just before World Animal Day, with a session held at the Petar Krešimir IV Elementary School focusing on responsible pet ownership, the needs of abandoned animals, and the importance of empathy. Through interactive activities, students learned how to safely approach a dog, interpret animal body language, and assist animals in distress. The educational program will now continue in Lozovac, where students can join the World Animal Day observances as young volunteers. In this manner, they will help raise visitor awareness about the need for the responsible treatment of animals and appropriate behavior within protected natural areas.
By jointly marking World Animal Day, the Krka National Park and the Šibenik Paws Association are continuing a collaboration that had already existed for four years. This partnership focuses on supporting abandoned animals in search of a permanent, safe home, as well as raising awareness about the responsibilities we assume when we decide to bring an animal into our lives.
One of the concrete ways in which the Krka National Park supports pet adoption is the benefit it has provided to people who adopt animals cared for by the Šibenik Paws Association: a person who adopts a dog or cat from them is entitled to a free one-year membership in the Krka Friends Club, which means free entry to the Krka National Park throughout the year, as well as other benefits. In this way, support for fostering and adoption is also connected with residing in nature and caring for its preservation.
Over the past few years, this collaboration has also encompassed various activities encouraging local inhabitants, particularly children and young people, to reflect on animal welfare and protection. While the initial focus was on dog adoption, the initiative was expanded to include cats in 2024, further highlighting the issue of abandoned pets and the importance of responsible pet ownership.
The observance of World Animal Day will once again this year be an opportunity for socializing, education, and connecting a love for animals with the love of nature.