Owners, pets together for SPCA blessing service

Dogs outnumbered the other animals at the service. Photo / Martin Sykes

It was woofs, meows and pooper scoopers at St Matthew-in-the-City as creatures great and small came together for the SPCA Auckland's annual Blessing of the Animals service.

The ceremony, which honours the legacy of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and friend of all living things, is designed to celebrate the love, loyalty and joy that animals bring.

The service also included the lighting of a Candle of Remembrance, commemorating all animals that have been killed in the past year through cruelty and violence.

The candle was lit by the American author and ethologist Marc Bekoff, who has written extensively about the role played by justice and fairness in animal behaviour. Humans attending the service brought not just their pets, but plastic bags and pooper scoopers.

"The Blessing of the Animals service is a truly joyful occasion and it's easy to understand the reason why," said SPCA executive director Bob Kerridge. "It involve celebrating and sharing the day with all our wonderful furry, feathered and hairy friends."

- NZ HERALD STAFF