Asia Farm Animal Day 2026: Meet the Forgotten Farmed Animals
Asia Farm Animal Day (AFAD) is the region’s annual opportunity to raise awareness and coordinate action for farmed animals across Asia. Celebrated each year on October 10, AFAD highlights the work of advocates and organizations improving the welfare of farmed animals and invites the public to learn, share, and speak up.
Beyond Pigs, Chickens, and Cows
When people hear “farm animals,” they usually think of pigs, chickens, and cows. But across Asia, many other species are farmed on a large scale. yet receive far less attention from the public and even from parts of the animal protection movement itself.
AFAD 2026 will intentionally highlight these overlooked groups. Our research shows:
Rabbits
Around 570 million rabbits and hares are raised and slaughtered for meat worldwide each year, with the majority in Asia and China alone accounting for nearly half of global production.
Donkeys
An estimated 2.3–4.8 million donkeys are slaughtered annually for their hides to support the ejiao (donkey‑gelatin) industry, with demand projected to reach around 6.8 million hides per year by 2027.
Crustaceans (shrimp, prawns, crabs, lobsters)
Hundreds of billions of decapod crustaceans are slaughtered in global aquaculture each year; one estimate puts the figure at 310–950 billion individuals in 2022 alone.
Ducks and Geese
Around 4.2 billion ducks were slaughtered for meat globally in 2024, while close to 800 million geese are killed annually, with Asia dominating production.
Frogs
Global frog farming has grown rapidly, with FAO data showing production rising from about 80,000 tonnes in 2010 to over 100,000 tonnes by 2018, and researchers estimating hundreds of millions to low billions of farmed frogs each year.
Civets
Tens of thousands of civets are kept in cage systems across Southeast Asia for kopi luwak (civet coffee) production, with some farms holding up to 300 animals and markets selling hundreds of civets annually.
These animals share one crucial trait with pigs, chickens, and cows: they are sentient individuals with their only “one life”. AFAD 2026 aims to make their stories visible, connect the dots between species, and inspire more inclusive, effective advocacy for all farmed animals in Asia.
What to Expect from Asia Farm Animal Day 2026
Since 2025, AFAD has moved to a fully online, centered on coordinated social media storytelling and active contributions from Asia for Animals (AfA) network members. In 2026, AFAD will run as a 7‑day digital campaign from October 4–10, using the “One Life” framework to present farmed animals as sentient individuals with their own unique stories. Instead of in‑person gatherings, the campaign relies on daily social posts, shared content, and member contributions to create a unified regional voice for farmed animals.
From October 4–10, AFAD 2026 will use daily social media content and contributions from AfA network members to create a coordinated regional voice for farmed animals.
Throughout the seven-day campaign, audiences can expect:
Daily spotlights on overlooked farmed species;
Individual animal stories presented through the “One Life” framework;
Insights and experiences from advocates and organisations working across Asia;
Educational resources about farming practices and animal welfare concerns; and
Shareable social media content and practical ways to participate.
Instead of relying on a single in-person gathering, AFAD 2026 will bring advocates and audiences together through shared content, coordinated messaging, and online participation across the region.
Join the Movement: Follow, Share, Speak Up
AFAD 2026 aims to make their stories visible, connect the dots between species, and inspire more inclusive, effective advocacy for all farmed animals in Asia. This October, visit Asia for Animals on Instagram and Facebook, join the conversation, and take part in Asia Farm Animal Day 2026.
Learn about these overlooked farmed species, share their stories, and speak up in your own way, whether through posts, events, media outreach, or conversations with friends, colleagues, and decision‑makers.
Follow the Asia for Animals social media channels for daily species spotlights, stories from the ground, and ways to get involved in Asia Farm Animal Day 2026.
