World Animal Day—“See the World Through Their Eyes”, 4 October 2026
World Animal Day, which is celebrated annually on 4 October, serves as a catalyst for the animal welfare movement, mobilizing it into a global force to make the world a better place for all animals by raising awareness and taking action for their well-being.
This year’s theme is “See the World Through Their Eyes”. On a planet increasingly affected by climate change and the consequences of human activity, it is important to remember that we are not the only ones impacted. This World Animal Day, we invite you to pause, shift your perspective, and consider the world through the eyes of animals.
In recognition of World Animal Day, MDPI supports global efforts in the conservation of animal life and, consequently, the planet. Through open access publishing, we invite you to explore selected articles, Special Issues, and journals that span fields such as animal sciences, biology and ecology, encouraging knowledge-sharing and collaboration with the aim of making a difference in the welfare of animal.
| Biology & Life Science | Environment & Earth Sciences | |
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| Session 1 | Session 2 |
| Date: 5 October 2026, 12:00 p.m. CEST Webinar ID: 838 6822 9455 Free to register for this webinar here! |
Date: 5 October 2026, 4:00 p.m. CEST Webinar ID: 835 4353 3215 Free to register for this webinar here! |
“Environmental Drivers of Immature Whale Shark Surface Sightings in the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti”
by Francesca Romana Reinero, Andrea Marsella, Gaetano Vitale, Antonio Pacifico, Makenna Mahrer and Primo Micarelli
Conservation 2025, 5(4), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation5040068
“What Factors Shape the Flyability in Bats?—The Perspective from Bat’s Wing Development”
by Minjie Zhang, Hui Wang, Zhongzheng Liu, Mingyue Bao, Xintong Li, Tianhui Wang, Ruixue Wang and Jiang Feng
Biology 2025, 14(11), 1524; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14111524
“Rethinking Poultry Welfare—Integrating Behavioral Science and Digital Innovations for Enhanced Animal Well-Being”
by Suresh Neethirajan
Poultry 2025, 4(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/poultry4020020
“Influence of Natural and Artificial Habitats and Microhabitats on Urban Amphibian Diversity and Behavior”
by Rocio Pamela Demartín, Romina Ghirardi and Javier Alejandro López
Diversity 2025, 17(4), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17040292
“Insights in Managing Ungulates Population and Forest Sustainability in Romania”
by Darius Hardalau, Mihai Fedorca, Dan-Cornel Popovici, Georgeta Ionescu, Ancuta Fedorca, Ion Mirea, Iordache Daniel and Ovidiu Ionescu
Diversity 2025, 17(3), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17030194
“A History of Pain Studies and Changing Attitudes to the Welfare of Crustaceans”
by Robert William Elwood
Animals 2025, 15(3), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030445
“Assessing the Impact of Solar Farms on Waterbirds: A Literature Review of Ecological Interactions and Habitat Alterations”
by Crystal M. Anderson, Andrew P. Hopkins and James T. Anderson
Conservation 2025, 5(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation5010004
“Ethogram of the Domestic Cat”
by Isabelle Kappel, Marie-Christin Riedel, Fiona Becker, Shay Hicks, Nicole Warlich-Zach and Udo Ganslosser
Pets 2024, 1(3), 284-314; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets1030021
“A Reference Database of Reptile Images”
by Peter H. Uetz, Maya Patel, Zainab Gbadamosi, Angel Nguyen and Stacey Shoope
Taxonomy 2024, 4(4), 723-732; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy4040038
| “Coping with a Changing Environment: Stress Physiology, Phenotypic Plasticity and Ecological Adaptations in Amphibians and Reptiles” Guest Editor: Dr. Jelena Gavrić-Čampar Submission deadline: 31 December 2026 |
“Advances in Sustainable Animal Nutrition: Impacts on Physiology, Health, and Production” Guest Editors: Dr. Christos Eliopoulos and Dr. Dimitrios Arapoglou Submission deadline: 31 December 2026 |
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| “The Invisible Bond: How Animals Shape Human Society” Guest Editor: Dr. Charlotte Duranton Submission deadline: 10 January 2027 |
“Pathology in Companion Animals—From Diagnostics to Treatment” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Stanisław Dzimira Submission deadline: 31 January 2027 |
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| “Systematics and Diversity of Fish” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Xiao-Yong Chen Submission deadline: 31 May 2027 |
“Ecology, Management and Conservation of Vertebrates: 2nd Edition” Topic Editors: Prof. Dr. Miguel Lizana and Dr. Víctor Colino-Rabanal Submission deadline: 31 July 2027 |
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