PROJECT IV-X-XXVI

What it's about

On October 4, 2026, the network holds a vigil

Under the title PROJECT IV-X-XXVI, a nationwide digital vigil for the victims of animal cruelty takes shape on World Animal Day. The Roman numerals IV-X-XXVI stand for this particular date: 4 October 2026.

It is a day of remembrance, of pausing, and of acting together — a day on which we remember Jette, Buddy, Schmotzer, Aiko, Eddy and all the other animals who were abused, tormented, neglected, abandoned or killed. A day on which people across Germany are connected and show: these animals are not forgotten.

October 4 is observed worldwide as World Animal Day. On this day, people, animal welfare organisations and initiatives around the world turn their attention to the protection, dignity and rights of animals — as a reminder that animals are not objects, but sentient beings who can feel fear, pain and despair just as much as trust, security and joy.

Yet for many animals, this protection remains an empty promise. That is why World Animal Day must not be just a symbolic date on the calendar. PROJECT IV-X-XXVI takes up the international significance of World Animal Day and carries it into the digital space — not as a one-off reaction to a single case, but as dignified, lasting remembrance.

Schedule for October 4

7:00 pm — shared minute of silence across Germany
Central vigil in Saarbrücken, organised by PROJEKT TYRV
from 8:00 pm — the digital guestbook opens
Participation possible nationwide, online and offline

Nationwide, digital

A digital vigil for all of Germany

Not everyone can travel to a public vigil. Some people are ill, care for relatives, have family obligations, or live far away — others prefer to remember quietly, in their own personal setting. The digital vigil creates a shared place that isn't tied to any one city, association or organisation.

It connects people in flats, houses, animal shelters, sanctuaries, veterinary practices, associations and initiatives — people who don't know each other personally but set the same sign on this day: a candle in the window, a name on a piece of paper, a picture on social media, a minute of silence. From many small signs, a digital sea of light emerges for the victims of animal cruelty.

On site

Central vigil in Saarbrücken

Alongside nationwide digital participation, there will be a central vigil in Saarbrücken on October 4, 2026 — the visible, physical centre of PROJECT IV-X-XXVI. While people across Germany take part digitally and light candles at their own personal places, people come together in person in Saarbrücken: names are made visible, candles are lit, stories are told, and messages against animal cruelty are carried outward.

Digital remembrance and public presence are not mutually exclusive. On this evening, Saarbrücken stands in for the many people taking part nationwide. The event is organised by PROJEKT TYRV — Animals. Decide. Rescue. Vindicate. On October 4, 2026, we choose to look, to remember, to stand for the animals.

For those who had no voice

We say their names

Their names stand in for numerous animals whose stories became publicly known. We name them because they lived — because their lives mattered, and because public attention must not decide whether a victim is forgotten.

Jette

Her name stands for a fate that deeply moved many people. We remember her because she deserved protection.

Buddy

His fate stands for grief, open questions and the demand for justice. His life mattered.

Schmotzer

His story too must not disappear just because public attention has moved on. We preserve his name.

Aiko

We remember an animal that deserved protection and safety. His name shall not be forgotten.

Eddy

His story is one that must keep being told — not out of sensationalism, but out of respect for his life.

The nameless

For every animal whose name no one knows, whose suffering was never documented, and for whom there was no headline, no candle. They too are given a place in our remembrance on October 4, 2026.

Why remembrance is necessary

Many cases of animal cruelty initially cause great dismay — images are shared, calls for consequences grow loud. But soon the next case appears, attention shifts, and the previous victims fade into the background.

This is exactly where PROJECT IV-X-XXVI comes in: we must not turn animals into short-lived news items. Behind every known case stood a living being who could feel pain, was afraid and depended on protection. Remembrance preserves their dignity — and raises questions: why wasn't action taken sooner? Which warning signs were missed? And what needs to change so other animals are better protected?

A candle against forgetting

A candle cannot undo what happened, and it cannot bring back a lost life. But it brings light into the darkness, shows that a life was not forgotten, and connects people across distances.

Every candle lit on October 4, 2026 stands for an animal — one whose story became known, or one whose fate remained hidden. A single candle may seem small. But when many burn at once, nationwide, it becomes a visible sign against forgetting, against indifference, and for responsibility.

Get involved

How you can take part in PROJECT IV-X-XXVI

Anyone can be part of this nationwide vigil — no matter how far away the nearest event is.

On October 4, 2026, light a candle in a safe place — in a window, on a table, or at a personal place of remembrance.
Write down the name of an animal you want to remember.
Share a photo of your candle or your place of remembrance — and, from 8:00 pm, leave an entry in the guestbook below.
Respect personal rights, ongoing investigations and the dignity of everyone involved — avoid unnecessarily graphic or distressing images.
Associations, initiatives, shelters and private groups can organise their own small vigils, as long as the animals remain the focus.

This vigil belongs to the animals

PROJECT IV-X-XXVI is not a competition and not a promotional event. It belongs to Jette, Buddy, Schmotzer, Aiko and Eddy, to the known and unknown victims, to the animals who survived, and to those still waiting for help. The animals' names matter more than logos, their stories matter more than reach, their suffering matters more than personal conflicts. No one owns the memory of an animal — but we should be able to agree that animals deserve protection and that their victims must not be forgotten.

More than a symbol

Our demands

World Animal Day matters — but a single day of remembrance is not enough. With PROJECT IV-X-XXVI, we link remembrance with concrete demands to politics, authorities and the justice system.

Go to the Wall of Demands

Reports of animal cruelty must be consistently investigated.
Sufficient staffing in the responsible authorities.
Clear, traceable responsibilities and better cooperation between veterinary offices, police, public prosecutors, courts, vets and animal welfare organisations.
Consistent inspections where there is reasonable suspicion, and protective measures used early.
Proven animal cruelty must not be treated as a minor offence.
Effective, enforced bans on keeping animals, and more transparency about measures taken.
A society that doesn't only look once an animal is already dead or severely injured.

Until the shared minute of silence