BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS feature GREAT ANIMAL WALK
SPCA Auckland celebrated the joy and light animals bring to our lives on World Animal Day, Sunday 4 October.
This special day saw a frenzy of animal celebrations as two important happenings fall on the same date: the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of animals, and World Animal Day, honored by 100 countries around the globe. Hundreds of animal lovers with their dogs, cats, horses and even pet turtles paraded in The Great Animal Walk from Britomart to St Matthew In-The-City which commenced at 12.15pm. Following the Walk was a joyous Blessing of the Animals service held in St Matthew in the City at 1pm, a heartwarming and spiritual occasion that commemorates the life of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
SPCA Auckland Executive Director Bob Kerridge says the Blessing is an opportunity to honour our companion animals. “This unique service gives us the opportunity to gather as complete families to give thanks for our lives with them. At the same time we remember those animals less fortunate than our own who suffer extreme cruelty or who are endangered.”
Click here to view a pdf of the World Animal Day walk with the animals, and the Blessing Service that followed.
Watch a video of the celebrations
- Contact Name: Bob Kerridge
- Contact Number: +64 9 256 7300
- Contact Email: bob.kerridge@spca.org.nz
- Location: Auckland
- Organised by: Bob Kerridge