Participants of the World Animal Day event pose for a group photo at Mission Hills Mall in Longhua District on Oct. 4. The event let pet owners dress up their furry friends in Chinese costumes and featured fun sports competitions for owner-pet pairs. German writer and editor of the Man and Dog magazine Heinrich Zimmermann initiated the first World Animal Day event in 1925 in Berlin. The day has been observed worldwide to promote animal rights and welfare since 1931. | 