Blessing of the animals and adoption fair

On Sunday, October 2, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and Our Lady of the Lake College host a blessing of the animals and a pet adoption fair on the hospital’s chapel lawn. The afternoon events celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, who is both the patron saint of animals and the Franciscan sisters who came to Louisiana to found a hospital 100 years ago.

“Because statues depict him holding a bird, people don’t realize St. Francis was not only patron saint of the animals but of all God’s creation,” explains Sister Martha Ann Abshire, OLOL College campus minister. “He’s patron of all ecology. He believed all nature is sacred and even referred to planets as Sister Moon and Brother Sun.”

For the past decade, OLOL has offered an annual pet blessing for its employees’ furry friends. However, this year, all Baton Rougeans are invited to bring their pets for a special blessing by Father Don Ajoko at 2 p.m.

From noon until 4 p.m., Rescue Bank of Baton Rouge presents an adoption fair that features rescued rabbits, puppies, kittens, dogs and cats.

In its first year in operation, Rescue Bank of Baton Rouge distributed more than 200,000 pounds of food plus other pet supplies free to 30 rescues and animal shelters in East Baton Rouge, Ascension, Livingston, St. Helena, East and West Feliciana parishes.

Rescue Bank members include Friends of the Animals, Northside Humane Society, APAWS, Livingston Humane Society, Yelp!BR, Project Purr Baton Rouge, Night Prowlers, SOS Rescue, Gulf South Golden Retriever Rescue and feral cat colony caregivers among others.

“Most rescues spend the majority of their budgets on food,” explains Rescue Bank founder Judy Atkinson. “When they receive food and supply subsidies, these rescues can help even more homeless animals.”

Last year, during its Blessing of the Animals food drive, medical center employees collected more than 1,000 pounds of pet food as well as beds, leashes, toys and other supplies for Rescue Bank. This year with support from OLOL College, the order seeks not only to surpass that goal and find homes for adoptable animals.

All animals must be up-to-date on vaccinations and secured in a carrier or on a non-retractable leash. Animals who are aggressive or in heat are prohibited from entering the hospital grounds.

In case of rain, the event will be held in the Plaza parking garage.

For more information, contact OLOL Director for Mission Formation Dr. Judy M. Deshotels at 765-7075 or [email protected].

Click here for Creature Feature, which includes some of Northside Humane Society’s available adoptable animals who will be attending the event.

Click here for this week’s City Lynx.