Also called blessing of the animals, pet blessing, spell to protect a pet, St Francis pet blessing
A home blessing for a dog, cat or other animal, modelled on the church blessings of animals held on St Francis's feast, October 4. It asks for health and safe return, and it comes with the practical checks that actually keep pets safe.
TraditionCatholic and Anglican blessing of the animals, with other animal-honouring festivals
RegionWorldwide
EraMedieval roots, modern form
Moon◐ Any moon
DayAny
ElementEarth
Difficulty●○○ Simple
Time10 minutes
Tonight's moon is read when the page loads.
The working
Choose a calm time, such as October 4, the feast of St Francis of Assisi, or January 17, the feast of St Anthony the Abbot, or any quiet evening.
If using a candle, set it high and out of reach of tails and paws, then light it.
Hold the collar or tag and say a blessing in your own words, asking that your animal be healthy, safe, and always find its way home.
Dip your fingers in the water and touch the collar or tag lightly. Let your pet sniff your hand; never pour water on an animal that dislikes it.
Put the collar back on, give the treat, and spend a few minutes of real attention with your pet.
Finish with the practical blessing: check that the tag and microchip details are current and that the next vet visit is booked.
Snuff the candle and pour the rest of the water onto a plant.
Take care: Do not use essential oils, incense, smudge smoke, salt water or herbs on or near pets; many are toxic to cats and dogs, and lilies are deadly to cats. Keep flames out of reach and never leave a pet alone with a lit candle.
Versions across time and place
i
Blessing of the animals on St Francis's day
Catholic, Anglican and Episcopal churches · Modern custom honouring a 13th-century saint
On or near October 4, churches invite people to bring dogs, cats, horses, reptiles and even photos of pets for a blessing with prayer and holy water. Francis, who died in 1226, was remembered for preaching to birds and taming the wolf of Gubbio, and is now patron saint of animals and ecology.
Recorded in: Blessing of animals (Wikipedia); Francis of Assisi (Wikipedia)
ii
San Antón on January 17
Spain and Mexico · Medieval Spain; brought to Mexico in the 1500s
Spain blesses animals on the feast of St Anthony the Abbot, the desert hermit of the fourth century, and Franciscans carried the custom to Mexico. In Madrid and Mexico City people still queue with dogs, birds, rabbits and dressed-up pets for the priest's holy water.
Recorded in: Anthony the Great (Wikipedia); Reuters and SABC news reports
iii
Kukur Tihar
Hindu, Nepal · Living tradition
On the second day of Tihar, Nepal's festival of lights, dogs receive marigold garlands, a red tika on the forehead and special food. Dogs are honoured as messengers of Yama, god of death, and as faithful companions, recalling Yudhishthira's dog in the Mahabharata.
Recorded in: Kukur Tihar (Wikipedia); Global Voices (2017)
History
Francis of Assisi, who died in October 1226 and was canonised in 1228, became the saint most linked with animals through stories of his sermon to the birds and the wolf of Gubbio. Rural Europe had long blessed livestock, often on the feast of St Anthony the Abbot in January, which Spain still keeps as San Antón. Today churches across Europe and the Americas hold pet blessings on or near Francis's feast day, often outdoors, and the custom has spread well beyond Catholic parishes.
Other cultures honour animals on their own days. In Nepal, the second day of Tihar, the autumn festival of lights, is Kukur Tihar, when dogs, including police dogs and strays, receive garlands and a tika. No old grimoire has a pet protection spell as such. The practice here borrows the shape of these public blessings for use at home, and adds the checks a vet would ask for.
