NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. - Community Missions will hold its Fourth Annual Blessing of the Animals on the morning of Saturday, October 4^th, from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at its main site, 1570 Buffalo Avenue in Niagara Falls.

Pets from all around the community are invited to come and receive a special prayer and blessing. Whether furry, feathered, or scaly, all are welcome, along with their humans. For those with pets that do not travel well, their humans can bring a picture or just come themselves and ask for a blessing for their pet. 

The origins of the pet blessing are in the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, which falls on October 4^th annually.

“With the feast day of St. Francis falling on a Saturday this year,” said Rev. Mark Breese, Agency Minister of Community Missions, “it is neat that our Blessing of the Animals event is able to actually be on the day St. Francis is celebrated.” At the event, Rev. Mark Breese and other local clergy will offer a brief opening ceremony and prayer, and then offer individual blessings to pets from the community.

The event also helps draw publicity to Community Missions’ long-running Pet Pantry. “Our pantry provides food, toys and other supplies for pet owners who are having trouble affording them,” said Christian Hoffman, VP - Public Relations and Development at Community Missions. “We keep our pantry stocked through donations from the public and the help of other partners. If anyone would like to help, they can bring a donation for the Pet Pantry with them to the Blessing of the Animals event—or they can drop them off seven days a week at the Mission.”

In addition to the Animal Blessings and Pet Pantry, there will also be dog adoption organizations at the event: Nickel City Canine Rescue, Awesome Paws Rescue, and Buddy’s Second Chance Rescue. People who might be interested in providing a forever home for some lucky dog can get information about the process and meet a few dogs in the process of being adopted.

“We hope everyone who loves their pet will come out,” said Sarina O’Malley, Community Missions’ Communications Manager. “It is so fun to see all the animals. You can even get your picture taken with your pet and we will send you the picture!”

For more information about the event, please contact Sarina O’Malley at 285-3403, ext. 2230 or somalley@communitymissions.org.