Exhibition
Introduction
Animals have a big impact on our lives – they’re our companions, always present and ever positive. Whether it's a cat or a dog or a guinea pig, nothing is more comforting than having your pet greet you at the door, curl up in your lap or squeal for treats
Mr Wingfield and His Tame Animals
Tame Animals at Work, that’s the title of this black and white film, produced by Cricks and Martin and released in 1909. During the film, keepers at the private zoo of Mr. A.H. Wingfield at Ampthill House in Bedford, ride a variety of animals. Here’s a short description about the film from the book The History of British Film:
‘Pigs are harnessed to carts, and driven like horses. Dromedaries do the ploughing, and are also ridden. Two ostriches, ridden by two men take part in a race. They are guided by taps of a thin stick upon their long necks. Finally we see a procession of various wild animals, including zebras, yaks, and llamas, ridden by men, and two donkeys ridden by one man – he falls off. ‘
Retro Cats
Cats, cats cats. The internet is full of the cutest cat pictures and films that make our knees go weak. Even if you’re not a cat person, some photos just make you go ‘aahh’. Even hardy sailors have a special relationship with cats that dates back thousands of years, just like the two captains on the second picture.
In addition to offering sailors much needed companionship on long voyages, cats provided protection by ridding ships of vermin. Without the presence of cats, a crew might find their ship overrun with rats and mice that would eat into the provisions, chew through ropes and spread disease. The more superstitious sailors believed that cats protected them by bringing good luck. It was also common for crews to adopt cats from the foreign lands they visited to serve as souvenirs as well as reminders of their pets at home.
It's All About Pets
Pets, they have a special place in our hearts. They are there for us 365 days a year, just like we are there for them. One day a year we place our little companions in the extra spotlight on World Animal Day.
We’ve been celebrating World Animal Day since 1931. It all started at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. October 4 was chosen as World Animal Day as it is the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
Since then, World Animal Day has become a day for remembering and paying tribute to all animals and the people who love and respect them. It’s celebrated in different ways in every country, with no regard for nationality, religion, faith or political ideology.
