HONOLULU, Hawaii — On Saturday, more than 200 people attended a celebration of St. Francis, the patron saint who believed that humans had the ability and moral responsibility to protect animals. The Humane Society of the United States and local animal care and protection organizations joined The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew for the annual animal blessing, which this year featured an adoption fair.
The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew joins churches worldwide in celebrating the life and work of Saint Francis by blessing household pets and other animals. "I am excited to see so many people and pets from the community," said the Very Reverend Timothy W. Sexton, Provost of the Cathedral. "These furry friends remind me of God's love for all of his creatures. At the Cathedral, we always strive to be the gathering place that joyfully reflects that same love."
"Across cultures, religions and languages, one thing many of us have in common is our love of animals, and in Hawaii, more than 60 percent of households have pets," said Inga Gibson, Hawaii state director for The HSUS. "The HSUS is pleased to partner with The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew to celebrate the human-animal bond, and the universally held animal welfare and religious principles of mercy, compassion and justice."
Saturday's event celebrated Hawaii's animals with pet blessings, adoptable animals from local rescue organizations, St. Francis pet photographs, Ask-a-vet, information from HIFido service animals and a vegetarian lunch.
The HSUS thanks the Hawaii Dog Foundation and CatFriends for their participation and dedicated efforts to find loving homes for Hawaii's homeless animals.
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The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew is a gathering place that joyfully reflects God's Love, dedicated to the values of the community, through Mana (divine energy), Pono (righteousness) and Malama (caring stewardship) — On the web at saintandrewscathedral.net.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.
