California Events
Blessing of the Animals in California
At Franciscan churches, a friar with
brown robe and white cord often welcomes
each animal with a special prayer. As
the prayer is offered, the pet is
gently sprinkled with holy water. The
Blessing of Pets usually goes like this:
Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of
all living creatures. You called
forth fish in the sea, birds in the
air and animals on the land. You
inspired St. Francis to call all of
them his brothers and sisters. We
ask you to bless this pet. By the
power of your love, enable it to
live according to your plan. May we
always praise you for all your
beauty in creation. Blessed are you,
Lord our God, in all your creatures!
Amen.
BELMONT SHORE -LONG BEACH: Blessing of the Animals
October 18, 2026, 5 p.m.
Granada Avenue Boat Launch Ramp next to Rosie's Dog Beach
Belmont Shore, CA
Free, JustinRudd.com/blessing
Blessing of the Animals. Rain or shine,
more than 300 animals are blessed at the concrete boat
launch ramp at Granada Ave. in Belmont
Shore. The Interfaith
Blessing of the Animals presented by
Haute Dogs, Justin Rudd, is free to the public and
their pets. Seniors, families, singles,
and children, are encouraged to bring
their dogs, cats, birds, lizards,
rabbits, pot-bellied pigs, fish,
tortoises and turtles and other
well-behaved pets. All pets are welcome
at one of the largest blessings of pets
in the world, which launched in Long Beach in 2002.
CONCORD: St. Bonaventure Blessing of the Animals October 3, 2026, 10
a.m.
St. Bonaventure Catholic Church
5562 Clayton Road
Concord, CA 94521
Phone: (925) 672-5800
stbonaventure.net
Come to the Ministry Center Courtyard and bring your well-behaved animals either caged or leashed.
HUNTINGTON BEACH: St. Bonaventure Catholic Parish Blessing of the Pets
October 4, 2026, 3 p.m.
St. Bonaventure Church
16400 Springdale Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
stbonaventure.org
Blessing and Dedication of the newly installed St. Francis of Assisi Shrine
on south side of the church across from the parish hall followed by Blessing of the Pets
in celebration of his feast day. Bring your leashed pet, a photo of your pet, or your favorite stuffed animal for a special blessing! Everyone is welcome.
LOS ANGELES - HOLLYWOOD: Blessing of the Animals October 4, 2026, 12 p.m.
St. Mary of the Angels Anglican Cathedral
4510 Finley Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
stmaryshollywood.org
Blessing of the animals in honor of The Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi in
the church courtyard shortly after 10 a.m. mass. All are welcome!
LOS OSOS: Blessing of the Animals October 4, 2026, 1:20 p.m.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
2050 Palisades Avenue
Los Osos, CA
centralcoastcatholic.net
Blessing of the Animals takes place in the large parking lot immediately
following Catechism classes.
NEWPORT BEACH: Blessing of the Animals October 4, 2026, 10 a.m.
St. James Episcopal Church
3209 Via Lido
Newport Beach, CA
stjamesnewport.org/events
in St. James Episcopal Church courtyard.
Bring your pets for a doggy day out and a blessing to support Barks of Love
Animal Rescue of Newport Beach. Every dog has its day!
OCEANSIDE: St. Francis Festival - Blessing of the Animals October 3, 2026, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.,
Historic Mission San Luis Rey
4050 Mission Dr.
Oceanside, CA
sanluisreyparish.org
The Franciscan friars and staff of Mission San Luis Rey invite you to celebrate the feast of St. Francis at a Festival with fun, food and our annual Blessing of the Animals. Held at the Old Mission San Luis Rey
the community hosts the St. Francis Festival - Blessing of the Animals at the
Parish. Join a day of fun, food and fabulous furry friends! The Blessing
of Animals will take place throughout the event. There will be food vendors, pet
adoptions, animal demonstrations and much more!
PACIFIC GROVE: St. Mary's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church Blessing of the Animals October
11, 2026, 2-3 p.m.
146 12th St
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
pacificgrovechurch.org
A community blessing
in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the
patron Saint of animals. Bring your pet to Blessing of the Animals in St. Mary’s Front Yard. This annual tradition is held in partnership with St Angela Merici Parish, First Methodist Church of Pacific Grove and The Christian Church of Pacific Grove.
PASADENA: All Saints Church St. Francis Day and our Annual Blessing of the
Animals Celebration October 4, 2026, 10 a.m.
132 N Euclid Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 796-1172
allsaints-pas.org/ st-francis-day-2026/
Canines and felines, reptiles and rodents - all pets accompanied by their
person are invited to process through the Church at the beginning of the 10 a.m.
service, and then adjourn to the outdoor worship service on the quad lawn for
the blessing of animals. Tim Rich will preach on the lawn, where the service
includes stations for both communion and blessing of the animals. Arrive by 9:45
a.m. for line up.
PETALUMA: Blessing of the Animals October 4, 2026, 10:45 a.m.-12 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Petaluma
939 B Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
707.762.8269
petalumafirst.com
You, your pets, and all the animals in your care, are invited to a special Blessing of the Animals worship service.
You can also join in on zoom, share your photos of pets and the pet pictures are
to be posted on social media after the event.
RANCHO PALOS VERDES: Blessing of the Animals October 4, 2026, 12:15 p.m.
St. John Fisher School Courtyard
5448 Crest Road
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
(310) 377-5571
sjf.org
All are welcome to this glorious celebration in which each animal is recognized
with a St. Francis medal. All animals should be leashed or in an appropriate
portable container. Bring your pets to be blessed.
SAN DIEGO: Blessing of the Animals October 4, 2026, 10:30 a.m.
St. Paul's Cathedral
2728 Sixth Ave. (entrance on Fifth Ave.)
San Diego, CA 92103
info@stpaulcathedral.org
Bring your beloved companions to the regularly scheduled 10:30 a.m. Sunday
service. Following the service clergy offer individual pet blessings in the
church courtyard. Whatever the size, shape, etc. of your friend should be
leashed/contained for their safety. No reservations required.
SAN DIEGO: Blessing of the Animals October 4, 2026, 2-3 p.m.
Fraternal Spiritualist Church
4720 Kensington Dr.
San Diego, CA 92116
Blessing of the Animals in the yard of Fraternal Spiritualist Church is an
opportunity to celebrate our pets in affirmation of their Being as Souls.
Celebrate them as they are and not what we project onto them, not what they do
for us but what our responsibility is to them. Bring your dog, cat, lizard,
fish, bird or hamster so healers can doing Blessings over your pets, including
deceased pets (please bring a picture.) Pets are NOT allowed inside the
sanctuary, and they should be leashed or in a container.
SAN FRANCISCO: Blessing of the Animals October 4, 2026
Grace Cathedral
1100 California St.
San Francisco, CA
gracecathedral.org
The Feast of St. Francis & Blessing of
the Animals celebrates the patron saint of San Francisco, animals, and the environment, with the blessings of individual pets to follow each service on the plaza. Special pet tags available for all friends that are blessed.
Bring your finned, feathered, and fluffy friends for a special blessing as a token of the love St. Francis showed for all beings. Pets must be on a leash or in a secure carrier and are welcome at all Sunday services at 8:30 am, 11 am, and 6 pm.
SANTA MONICA: Blessing of the Animals First Sunday in October 4, 2026,
10:30 a.m. service
Saint Augustine by-the-Sea Episcopal
Church
1227 Fourth Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
saint-augustine.org
Once a year on the First Sunday of
October during the 10:30 a.m. service,
Saint Augustine by-the-Sea Episcopal
Church offers a special Blessing of the
Animals (St. Francis Day) in the Sanctuary.
SANTA ROSA: Blessing of the Animals October 4, 2026, 2-5 p.m.
stfranciswinery.com
/blessing-of-the-animals
St. Francis Winery Visitors Center
100 Pythian Road
Santa Rosa, CA
FREE but donations are encouraged. See
stfranciswinery.com
2 p.m. Blessing Begins
3 p.m. Winery Dog of the Year Contest Begins
3:05 p.m. Doggie Talent Show
3:15 p.m. Canine Costume Contest
3:30 p.m. Cutest Dog Competition
4:50 p.m. Dog Contest Winners Announced
5 p.m. Event Closes
Take part in the annual Blessing of the
Animals event by bringing your best furry friend to be blessed here at the
winery. If you have a dog, plan to show it off by participating in our "Winery
Dog of the Year" contest. Wine, nibbles, special guests and fabulous raffle
prizes donated by local pet-friendly businesses. Funds from event support the
Humane Society of Sonoma County. Admission is free.
Since 2000, St Francis Winery & Vineyards has played host on the first Sunday in October to a menagerie of wildlife, pets, and owners. Blessing of the Animals fundraiser raises a glass and some money to help support Sonoma County animal non-profits.
SARATOGA: Blessing of the Animals October 3, 2026, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church
13601 Saratoga Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070
st-andrews-saratoga.org
Enjoy the parade of parish pets and
blessing of the animals. Don't miss one of the most fun services of the year in
honor of St. Francis Day. Enjoy the parade of parish pets and animals in all
their barking, meowing, squawking, braying, splashing glory. Bring your dogs on
leashes, fish in water, cats and other small animals in carriers please. Stuffed
animals welcome, too!
THOUSAND OAKS: Blessing of the Animals
October 4, 2026, 5-7 p.m.
held First
Sunday in October in
Ascension Lutheran Church parking lot
1600 E. Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA
alcto.org
The community is invited! In
Judeo-Christian faith God calls on us to take care of all of creation, including
the animals. Our pets, we know, become very important parts of our families.
This outdoor worship service gives thanks to God for our pets and asks God's
blessings on all of us, pets and people alike! Come early and stay longer to
meet and greet pets and their people. At this time each year we remember Francis
of Assisi. We bless pets and animals, creatures Francis called his brothers and
sisters.
ADDITIONAL:
LOS ANGELES:
Blessing of the Animals held the
Saturday before Easter Sunday. All pets welcome. Live Entertainment. Petting zoo
and free pony rides. - 12-5 p.m.
This centuries-old tradition of blessing
the animals, for the benefits they provide mankind, is celebrated with a
procession on Olvera Street led by the Archbishop of Los Angeles. All pets
welcome.
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.