Blessing of the Animals this Friday in Shockoe Slip

The Friends of the Richmond Mounted Squad invite you to join the Officers of the Richmond Police Mounted Unit, Richmond K9’s, working horses and dogs, pets, and fellow animal lovers at the annual seasonal Blessing of the Animals.

The event is taking place a the Morgan Fountain (E. Cary St. & S. 13th St.) on Friday, December 8 at Noon. The event provides an opportunity to celebrate animals, meet the officers and horses for the Richmond Mounted Police Unit and enjoy special music. Pets and their owners are encouraged to dress in their holiday best and bring pet food donations for the Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation (AARF).

If you’re down there consider stepping into Fountain Bookstore for a little holiday shopping. The bookstore is donating 5% of their sales for the day to Friends of the Richmond Mounted Squad.

St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology, was born in Italy around 1181 or 1182 and is the saint most frequently associated with our furry friends.

Wikipedia:

Pope Gregory IX canonized Francis on 16 July 1228. Along with Saint Catherine of Siena, he was designated Patron saint of Italy. He later became associated with patronage of animals and the natural environment, and it became customary for Catholic and Anglican churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his feast day of 4 October. He is often remembered as the patron saint of animals.