INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County (HSVB & IRC) invites members of the community and their companion animals to the annual Blessing of the Animals on Saturday May 8 at 10 a.m.
The service will be held at the Humane Society’s Volunteer Pavilion located at 6230 77th Street (Hobart Road), Vero Beach. The Blessing of the Animals is held in conjunction with “Be Kind to Animals Week,” a nationally recognized week celebrating the human/animal bond and promoting the protection of all animals.
This year’s service will be conducted by Reverend Dr. John R. Jacobs and the Reverend Deacon Lew Gwyn, with musical accompaniment by the acclaimed Vero Beach High School Chamber Strings under the direction of Matthew Stott. During this non-denominational event, each attending animal will be blessed and receive a medallion commemorating The Blessing. Non-pet owning members of the community are also invited to attend this special celebration.
“The Humane Society holds The Blessing each year to honor both animals with families who love them as well as those who are abandoned, lost or mistreated,” HSVB & IRC Executive Director Chalmers Morse said.
Morse added that K9 officers from Vero Beach, Sebastian and Indian River County will be in attendance at the ceremony and will receive special recognition from the shelter.
Participants are asked to arrive by 9:30 a.m. to register their pet for the ceremony. Pet owners who cannot bring their pet may substitute a photograph of their pet for the blessing.
Following the service, Humane Society staff and volunteers will be available to provide shelter tours.
Although there is no charge to participate, The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County asks those attending the blessing to make any contribution possible toward the Humane Society’s Spay/Neuter fund.
Donations of supplies such as sheets, towels and blankets for the animals housed at the shelter are also appreciated.
For further information please call the Humane Society at (772) 388-3331 ext. 12.