25th Annual Blessing of the Animals

Join us as we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi which honors the special role animals play in peoples’ lives.  Conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures, a procession of animals, from dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses, are welcome.  Deacon Joseph A. Pecko of Church of Our Saviour, Cocoa Beach, will officiate this year’s special 25th annual ceremony called the Blessing of the Animals, in Historic Cocoa Village.

We will also be celebrating Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey’s K9 Partner Saint’s first birthday.  Saint is following in the footsteps of Junny, America’s Top Police Dog.  Junny was the first official mascot of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and because he was loved by so many people and brought awareness to so many important topics, Saint was chosen to help continue his legacy.  Just like Junny, Saint is trained to help find missing children and adults.

Pet photos with Deacon Pecko will be taken immediately following the group blessings ($5 donation).

All donations will benefit Environmental Education Awareness Research Support and Services, or EEARSS, a nonprofit started by Frank “Alligator” Robb, whose mission is to educate the public on the importance of the environment, the organisms and life forms within it, while also performing and assisting in research projects that help expand that knowledge and expertise.  Specific research includes alligator toxicology, endocrinology, along with the health of local ecosystems, Gopher Tortoise’s, controlled fires, viruses affecting wild alligator populations in Florida, sea turtle nesting populations, and survey data for county and federal level governments.

All pets are welcome on a leash, or in appropriate carriers, and must have current vaccinations and county tags for the safety of our animals and friends.