Bundaberg church blesses 20 pets in special ceremony at Burnett Heads
From playful puppies to nesting plovers, St John the Divine Church was a zoo of joy as furry, feathered, and four-legged friends gathered for Bundaberg’s annual pet blessing.
From guinea pigs to canine companions, there was no shortage of tails wagging as four-legged furry friends attended an annual pet blessing day in Bundaberg on Saturday, October 4.
The Anglican Parish of Bundaberg hosted the service at St John the Divine Church in Burnett Heads, to mark the feast day of the patron saint of animals, Francis of Assisi.
Pet blessing services allow owners to give thanks for the joy pets bring and also to raise awareness of animal welfare.
Sharyn Banks from Red Collar Rescue, a rescue centre for death row dogs, said the church invited members of the centre to go along to the service.
“It’s a lovely little social event,” Ms Banks said.
“It gives us a chance to highlight the lovely dogs we have.”
Janey, an eight-month-old puppy from Red Collar, was one of the many dogs to be blessed on Saturday.
Ms Banks said Janey was a character, a “beautiful, little, playful puppy”, who had such a fun time at the ceremony.
“She loved being the centre of attention,” she said.
In a post on the Anglican Parish of Bundaberg’s Facebook page, they described the service as wonderful, reminding visitors who joined the congregation from Bundaberg, Moore Park and surrounding areas that all pets were welcome.
Reverend Kate Ross said about 20 animals were blessed over the weekend, including the neighbour’s nesting plovers and some lucky little guinea pigs.
Every animal was gifted an “appropriate treat” after the celebration and didn’t go home empty-handed.
“We gave each of the animals a blessing certificate,” she said.
