A USUALLY solemn morning church service was brought to life with blessings for more than 100 small animals yesterday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Guinea pigs, rabbits and even a rat arrived at St Paul's Cathedral, Bendigo, for a special blessing from Priest Graeme Perkins.
The annual ceremony was attended by the RSPCA's adopted pets and the general public as part of St Francis of Assisi celebrations and RSPCA Awareness Week that begins today.
Although Father Perkins has blessed hundreds of animals, he was overwhelmed with yesterday's response.
"I think people enjoy bringing their pets, and recognise them as being a special part of their lives," he said.
RSPCA president June Killian said this year was the first time adopted pets from the shelter were blessed at a church, and she was surprised by the level of the community's participation.
Mrs Killian's beloved Dixie was among the seven dogs she took to the cathedral for a sacred blessing.
"It was such a lovely service. I didn't expect there to be cats and rabbits, but they were all so well behaved," she said.
"It just goes to show how much people value their pets. We couldn't have had a better start to the week."
