At the Library, we periodically organise a ‘themed display’ featuring books and documents from our collection that relate to a particular theme or anniversary. For October 2026, we have chosen ‘World Animal Day’.

World Animal Day, celebrated on 4 October, was conceived by Heinrich Zimmermann in 1925 and officially recognised in 1931 during a congress in Florence. The date was chosen in honour of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and a symbol of love and respect for all living creatures.
This international observance promotes animal rights and welfare, raising awareness of the importance of protecting biodiversity and the impact of human activities. It also encourages us to regard animals as sentient beings and to reflect on the relationship between humans and wildlife.
October’s bibliographic showcase presents the perspectives of animal rights movements and biomedical research, highlighting the positive aspects of both. The aim is to encourage reflection on individual choices and the ethical dilemmas associated with the use of animal-derived products and scientific experimentation.

Materials in the thematic showcase:

Monographs:
Coppellotti, O., Arizza, V., Ober, W. C., Hickman, C. P., Garrison, C. W., & Guidolin, L. (2016). Zoologia (16. ed). McGraw-Hill.
Arthur, W. (2014). Evolving animals : the story of our kingdom. Cambridge University press.  
Ennion, E., & Tinbergen, N. (1978). Tracce d’animali. Zanichelli.
Capocaccia Orsini, L., & Baldaccini, N. E. (2004). Le migrazioni : animali attraverso il mare, il cielo e la terra. Erga.
Jarman, P. J., & Rossiter, A. (1994). Animal societies : individuals, interactions and organisation. Kyoto University press.

Ebooks:
Block, W. M. (2015). Wildlife habitat conservation : concepts, challenges, and solutions (M. L. Morrison & H. A. Mathewson, Eds.). Johns Hopkins University Press.
Benedetti, F. (2022). Un mondo senza animali: Possiamo rinunciare alla sperimentazione sugli animali? Carocci editore S.p.A. 

Articles:
Baricalla, V. (2020). Verso i diritti degli animali. Riflessioni e dibattiti nella storia del pensiero. Relations (Online), 7(1–2), 19–39. 
Mazzoni, C. M. (2012). LA QUESTIONE DEI DIRITTI DEGLI ANIMALI. Belfagor, 67(3), 265–276.