Blessing of The Animals Why Bless the Animals? When we bless something, we focus our attention on the perfection that God put into it when God created it. When we bless what is good in our lives we increase it, adding our positive energy to the positive energy that is already a part of it. When we bless something that is not good, we cause the negativity in it to decrease because we are replacing it with positive energy. Blessing increases the positive energy field in everything that exists in our Universe.

Reverend  Ron Murhon and his new friend at  The Blessing of The Animals

We have experimented with a number of ways to hold a Blessing of the Animals that provides the greatest amount of pleasure for the Animals, their owners and our volunteers and we offer the following suggestions based on our experience. However, whatever format you choose, or order of service you follow, we can guarantee you one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

We offer the following suggestions based on our personal experience:

For us, the best month has turned out to be May, and the best day is the Saturday before Mother’s Day from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Since this is an outdoor event, you will want to choose a season in your area of the country when the weather is mild with as little chance of rain as possible. The ground needs to be firm, not muddy. If you live in a warm climate and October 4th happens fall in a good weather season, you may want to tie your celebration into the Feast of Day of St. Francis of Assisi, who was especially loved for acknowledging the Spirit of God in all creatures.

Reverend Ron - Blessing the Animals in Pennsylvania

Who is served by a Blessing of the animals?

Animals are an extension of the family and very much beloved by their owners. Many people fuss over their pets in the same way they do their children and are very upset when their animals become ill or make their transition. By honoring the significance of these special family members, we provide joy and comfort to their owners - and the pets benefit as well. Owners have reported that the blessing drew forth more loving behavior in their pets. Specific physical healings are also talked about. One cat owner tells us that her cats don’t get fleas as long if they are blessed each year. Another reported that her dog stopped snoring after it was blessed.

Where is the Blessing Held?

If you have a church or a community center with a large grassy area that space is ideal. Some Blessing of the Animals Ceremonies, however, have been held in city parks or at the home or farm of a willing volunteer.

Must the Animals be Leashed?

 It is amazing how well the animals get along together in this special setting, but we do encourage pet owners to bring their pets in carriers or on leashes. It assures the owners that nothing is going to startle the animal and cause it to run away in a strange neighborhood.

How does the Ceremony Work?

Our ceremony begins with a Bible reading from Genesis I:26 and from Genesis 6:18-21. Then the animals line up in the Blessing Spot -- a long table and a stool, preferably under a tent if it is a hot, sunny day and each animal is individually blessed for “Long Life, Good Health and a Happy Home.” If possible, each animal is held or gently handled by the blessing Minister.We can’t explain why the animals stand patiently in line for the blessing, nose to tail with other animals of all kinds, but it is amazing to watch.

What are the Benefits of the Blessing?

Blessing one animal changes the Universal consciousness of the planet toward all animals in a positive way. God Loves the Animals! In the Biblical allegory of Noah and the Ark, it is clear that God provided for the blessing of many more animals than God did people.

An individual blessing for their beloved pets brings comfort to the animal owners in your congregation because it is supportive of something that is dear to them and important to their way of life. They are pleased when their church or organization or community Spiritually supports the well-being of the animals that they love.

Animals help to create community by introducing animal-lovers to other animal-lovers and helping them find a common ground. And this event fosters intergenerational communion, attracting visitors in strollers, wheelchairs, on bicycles, on foot and on walkers, by horseback, in trucks, cars and on motorcycles.

This event, if properly publicized, is a very attractive event to the local press.

Fact Sheet for Blessing of the Animals

1: Set Up

Those present at the start of the ceremony are invited to gather in a circle as the minister reads from the Bible (Genesis 1:26, 6:18-21) to open the ceremony. The minister then goes to the “Blessing Spot” and the animals, with their owners, line up to be blessed. At the “Blessing Spot” the minister will require a stool to sit on and a good-sized, sturdy table beside it. Small pets and pets in cages may be placed on the table.)Each pet, in turn, receives a hands-on-blessing for “Long Life, Good Health and a Happy Home.” For the comfort of the blessing minister, it is important that the “Blessing Spot” to be covered with a tent or located under a shade tree. (The blessing minister should be provided, periodically, with a cool drink and an opportunity to take a break, if needed.)

2: Certificate of Blessing

Each pet receives a Certificate of Blessing. A second table needs to be placed close enough to the blessing minister, that the volunteer who will be filling out the certificate can hear the pet’s name when it is blessed and therefore be able to fill out the certificate correctly.

3: Pet Treats

A volunteer-manned treat table should also be placed close by. Following the blessing, each animal receives a food treat, selected for them by their owner. Owners may choose from large and small dog bones, cat treats, birdseed, fish food, or pick from a fresh food tray, which includes lettuce, carrots, grapes, strawberries, apples and nuts. If you have the volunteer help to make them in advance, owners may also choose a colorful scarf or a bow for their animal to wear home. 

4: Special Blessings

A Pet Blessing Box and prayer slips are provided for those who have pets that cannot come to the blessing or are deceased. (Some owners will also provide pictures of the pet they want blessed. At some point during the blessing, the Minister asks those present (human and animal) to form a circle and the prayer request slips are passed out.When all of the names have been read aloud -– e.g.: “Fluffy” “Precious” “Spike” “Matador”, “Tweety”, etc. -- the blessing Minister offers a special blessing for those animals whose names have been read.

5: Adjunct Activities

A well-planned event, spearheaded by an active team of volunteers, will be able to attract many adjunct animal specialists and organizations that are pleased to participate in your Blessing of the Animals. Each of these groups adds interest to the event and attracts people to the event who might not otherwise ever attend your church. Such as:

Animal Rescue Groups – A Westie Rescue Group provided a ”Kissing Booth” at our last Blessing of the Animals. For a love offering to support Westie Rescue, the donor received a wet kiss from a loving Westie and a candy kiss beside.

Veterinarians – A local veterinarian set up an Ask-a-Vet booth and answered questions from interested pet owners.

Groomers – A local pet groomer provided scarves and bows and did simple grooming such as clipping pets' nails.

Exotic Pets Breeders – An exotic pet shop brought rare animals to be blessed –- hedgehogs, a fox, tortoises and sugar gliders. Children attending the event were especially fascinated, as were members of the local press.

Animal Adoption Agencies – A local shelter brought real animals and pictures of pets available for adoption.

Working Animals – We especially enjoyed the opportunity to bless the local Police Canine Corps. The officers and their pet partners put on a fabulous demonstration of the way police dogs assist their human partners. We understand that other Blessings of the Animals have included the Police Equestrian Team, local groups training seeing-eye dogs, dogs for the deaf and dogs that assist the disabled.(These animals are not pets and will need to receive a special blessing away from the regular pet blessing area.)

Pony Rides - A volunteer who raises ponies and horses has provided a pony ring and rides for children during the Blessing of the Animals. A love offering of $2.00 is suggested to cover the cost of feed and the transportation of the ponies. Youth volunteers can usually be found to walk the ponies around the ring.

6: Insurance

It is a good idea to check with your insurance company to make sure that you are fully covered for this event. If your church is the sponsor of Blessing the Animals, the insurer that we use, Church Mutual, offers a very inclusive policy that covers this event fully, including the pony rides.