“World Animal Day”; also known as “The Blessing Of The Animals” is an international day of action for animal rights and welfare; while also celebrating and recognising the love and bond which humans and animals share.
It all started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence, Italy who pledged their wish to highlight the plight of endangered species. This international day of celebration occurs annually on October 4th, to commemorate the “Feast Day” of “St Francis of Assisi”, the patron saint of animals and the environment.
It is celebrated all over the world, with no regard to nationality, religion, faith or political ideology. Many churches, synagogues and chaplains hold animal blessings in various parks and fields.
St Francis of Assisi
Where can you participate in “The Blessing of The Animals” in your state or territory of Australia?
QUEENSLAND:
Saturday, 3rd October 2015, 4pm
7-17 Main Street, Buderim
Ph: 5445 2060 / 0428 315 763
Brought to you by: St Marks Anglican Church
Saturday, 3rd October 2015, 8:30am (under the magnificent cathedral of trees)
Anderson Park, 17 Thomas Street, Pimlico, Townsville
Ph: 4728 9861
Brought to you by: House of Prayer & Spirituality
Sunday, 4th October 2015, 9:30am
89 Fairley St, Indooroopilly
Ph: 3878 7263
Brought to you by: St Andrews Anglican Church
NEW SOUTH WALES:
Sunday, 4th October 2015, 11:15am
2 Ambrose Street, Hunters Hill
Ph: 9817 2167
Brought to you by: All Saints’ Anglican Church
Sunday, 4th October, 2pm
Corner the Mall and Grosvenor Road, South Hurstville
Ph: 0412 680 430
Brought to you by: St Mark’s Anglican Church
Sunday, 4th October, 1pm (all invited afterward for BYO picnic lunch, BYO chairs/picnic rug)
Mount Vincent Road, Mount Vincent (off Leggetts Drive)
Ph: 0401 717 686
Brought to you by: Christ Church
VICTORIA:
Sunday, 4th October 2015, 11am
20 City Road, Southbank
Ph: 9682 4995
Brought to you by: St John’s Southgate Lutheran Church
Sunday, 4th October, 2pm
435 Inkerman Street, St Kilda East
Ph: 9527 1017
Brought to you by: St James the Great Anglican Church
Sunday, 4th October 2015, 11am to 4pm
81 Bridies Lane, Lancefield
Ph: 0406 724 433
Brought to you by: Edgar’s Mission
Sunday, 4th October 2015, 4pm (on the Cathedral front lawn)
6 The Close, Wangaratta
Ph: 5721 3719
Brought to you by: Holy Trinity Anglican Church
SOUTH AUSTRALIA:
Sunday, 4th October 2015, 5pm
2 Arkaba Road, Aldgate
Ph: 8339 1274
Brought to you by: Church of The Ascension
Sunday, 4th October 2015, 10am
18 Church Street, Mitcham
Ph: 8373 3433
Brought to you by: The Anglican Church of St Michael
WESTERN AUSTRALIA:
Sunday, 4th October 2015, 4pm
(followed by: 5pm Choral Evensong of St Francis in the St George’s Cathedral. 6pm Cats Cabaret in the adjacent Burt Memorial Hall in aid of Perth Cat Haven.)
38 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Ph: 9325 5766
Brought to you by: Saint George’s Cathedral
Sunday, 4th October 2015, 9am (morning tea will follow service)
Cnr Dyson and Vista Streets, Kensington
Ph: 9367 1918
Brought to you by: St Martin in the Fields
Sunday, 4th October 2015, 1.30pm
Corner Parkfield St & Cross St, Bunbury
Ph: 9721 3970
Brought to you by: St Boniface Anglican Cathedral
NORTHERN TERRITORY:
Sunday 4th October, 7.30am
2 Smith Street, Darwin
Ph: 8981 9099
Brought to you by: Christ Church Cathedral
What about Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory? We would love to know how you are planning to celebrate this special day!
Blessing of The Animals
OK, so you don’t have a pet or “Pet Blessings” are not really your thing….
How else can you celebrate “World Animal Day”?
MAKE A DONATION TO YOUR LOCAL SHELTER: What better way to help animals in need then to make a donation to your local shelter or rescue group. Rescuers are always very thankful for monetary, food, blankets, toys and other necessity donations.
VISIT A SHELTER: If you have never been to a shelter before because “it would make me feel sad”…now is to time to change that! Just walking around a shelter and exposing yourself to all those soulful eyes looking back at you wishing for their forever home of their own is surely enough to remind you how important it is to take a stand for all animals. Encourage your friends and family to visit a shelter and adopt a pet. You can be their voice because they cannot.
VOLUNTEER OR FOSTER: Finally get yourself signed up as a volunteer or foster carer at your local shelter, rescue group or pound that you keep meaning to do. “The kindness one does for an animal may not change the world…but it will change the world for that one animal”.
ADOPT: There is a saying “When you adopt a shelter pet you save two lives. The one you adopt and the one that takes its place”.
SPEND THE DAY WITH YOUR PET: Show them just how much you love them by spending the day doing whatever they enjoy the most. Go to the beach, a bush walk, have a play in the backyard, cuddle on the couch with a good movie or just give them a relaxing brush. Nobody loves you just the way you are more than your own pet.
Tell us where else is the “Blessing of the Animals”’ celebrated in your local area?
How Will You Celebrate “World Animal Day”?
Author Bio: Nikki is pack leader at Pressplay Pets, a blog for the modern age pet parent interested in health & care, news, reviews & personal accounts of unconditional love & at times heartfelt pain of pet parenting. She is also proud mum to cute and cheeky Papillons ‘Amber’ and ‘Indy’ and one crazy Rainbow Lorikeet named ‘Ralph’! Follow my Facebook and Twitter.
Pressplay Pets a blog for the modern age pet parent interested in health & care, news, reviews & personal accounts of unconditional love & at times heartfelt pain of pet parenting!
Follow Us!
