Do you know, October 4th was chosen as “World Animal Day” or “Pet Blessing Day” because it is also the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, and a Catholic Church holiday which is often celebrated with an annual “blessing of the pets”.

On the blessing day, people carry their pet dogs while waiting for a Catholic priest to bless the dogs outside the Saint Francis church in Lima during the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. Saint Francis is known as the patron saint of animals, birds, and the environment.

A Short History About Who is Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi (September 26, 1181 – October 3, 1226) was a Roman Catholic friar and the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans.

He is known as the patron saint of animals, birds, and the environment, and it is customary for Catholic churches to hold ceremonies honoring animals around his feast day of October4.

You may find out more of his history here.

When was “World Animal Day” Started and which country celebrate it today?

World Animal Day was started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. Since then it has grown to encompass all kinds of animal life and has been widely celebrated in countries as diverse as Australia and Malta, Philippines, Singapore and Lithuania. Of course it is widely celebrated in the western country, all over in US and UK.

How and what is the process of animal blessing?

Usually the priest would ask the names of the animals so he could bless them by name, shaking holy water on them and gently placing his hand upon them. “Lars, my friend, God bless you,” the friar would said. “Stay in good health, Cotton,”

The ritual is said to protect the animal from ill-health and originated because animals instinctively surrounded the saint during his lifetime.

So far I have never heard of it in Malaysia (sob.. sob…), maybe I’m too “mountain tortoise” or what. But it’s not too late though, will try to ask around the church here in Penang early October 2008!