INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County invites members of the community and their companion animals to the annual Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, May 7, at 10 a.m.
The service will be held in the Humane Society’s Volunteer Pavilion located at 6230 77th Street (Hobart Road), Vero Beach. The Blessing of the Animals is being 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 event will be conducted by Trinity Episcopal Church’s Father Chris Rodriguez and Father Jason Murbarger, with musical accompaniment by the acclaimed Vero Beach High School Woodwinds Ensemble.
During this non-denominational event, every animal will be blessed. Members of the community without pets are also welcome to participate in the celebration.
“The Blessing honors animals large and small. We offer our prayers to those who have happy homes as well as those who have been abandoned, lost or mistreated,” Humane Society Executive Director Chalmers Morse said.
Participants should arrive by 9:30 a.m. to register their pet for the ceremony. Families can bring a photo of their pet to be blessed if their animal is too frail to attend. Although there is no charge to participate, The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County asks attendees to consider making a contribution to the Humane Society’s Spay/Neuter fund. Donations of supplies such as sheets, towels and blankets for the animals housed and cared for at the shelter are also welcomed. Guests are encouraged to RSVP with the Humane Society at (772) 388-3826.
The Humane Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping and protecting the animals of Indian River County.
