Inverness Cathedral hosts special pet blessing service
Pets attended a special service for just them and their owners at Inverness Cathedral.
Animal lovers from Inverness and beyond were invited to take their pets to the city's cathedral on Sunday, October 6.
The cathedral – which is famous for being rich in history and heritage – holds an annual pet blessing and remembrance service on the first Sunday after the feast of St Francis, who is the patron saint of animals.
Despite the dreadful weather conditions, dogs and cats continued to show up and received a blessing during the service which celebrated St Francis, with around 30 people attending.
The service also remembered the dozens of pets people had loved and lost throughout the year, with a long list of names that were read out and commemorated with a moment of silence.
Deacon Katrina O'Neill said: “The pet service is such a special service and one I always look forward to each year.
“We always hold the service the Sunday closest to the feast day of St Francis of Assisi. St Francis being the patron saint for animals.
“The pet service allows us to acknowledge like St Francis the importance animals and all of creation are to us and to God. Animals bring us so much joy and love in our lives and having the time of remembrance during the service enables us to remember all those special pets who are no longer with us.
“Seeing all the pets with their owners is lovely. This year we had three cats and 10 dogs join us. We raised £54 in donations which will be donated to a local animal charity.”
