The Multifaith Outreach effort of Best Friends Animals & Religion program invites ACO’s and shelters to add a new dimension to the care they provide for animals!
by Kris Haley, Best Friends Animal SocietyIn an inaugural effort, the National Animal Control Association (NACA) has declared the week of April 13th through April 19th,
National Animal Control Week in celebration and appreciation for all of the many services provided by these extraordinary professionals.
Because there are many ways that both the animal and faith communities can successfully partner on behalf of animals, Best Friends Animals & Religion program would like to extend a special invitation this week to animal control and other shelter organizations to expand the services they offer to the animals and the community at large with an innovative idea that is fast-gaining popularity in shelters across the nation!
We are all familiar with the Pet Blessings that occur year ‘round, which afford people the opportunity to bring their companion animals to a specified location to receive a blessing. But what of the shelter animals? What of those who are most in need?
To add additional dimension to this week of celebration, shelters might consider inviting a local faith or interfaith leader or chaplain to come to their location to perform a group or private, individual blessing(s) for the shelter’s animals. If well promoted, the sponsoring shelter might receive some much needed publicity.
It is well known in animal welfare circles that compassion fatigue can be an unenviable effect of the heart wrenching work associated with animal control. Hosting an animal blessing at an animal control facility not only supports the animals but it gives hope to those who provide them care - - - what better way to express appreciation for ACO’s and staff?
Congratulations to all ACO’s and shelter staff members on this first annual celebration of their dedication and compassion. And kudos to NACA for having the foresight to create a week with such a meaningful theme. We encourage all animal control organizations who accept this invitation to send us photos and details about their events so that we can post them right here on the Best Friends Network!
What Shelters Can Do:- Contact your local faith or interfaith organization(s) to request an animal blessing at your facility.
- Create a press release to announce the event and invite media, volunteers, donors and the public at large.
- Chronicle the event with photos and send them to krish@bestfriends.org
What Individuals Can Do:- Contact your local shelter to ask that they conduct a blessing for the animals.
- Contact your local faith or interfaith organization(s) and ask if they would be willing to have a representative conduct a blessing for the animals at your local shelter. Then contact your shelter and encourage them to approve!
- Chronicle the event with photos and send them to krish@bestfriends.org
What Faith and Interfaith Leaders Can Do: - Contact your local shelter or rescue group and offer to conduct
a blessing for the shelter animals.
- Chronicle the event with photos and send them to krish@bestfriends.org
(Photo Credit: Newport Beach, CA P.D. Animal Control Officer Valerie Schomburg and Cooper) For more information about the National Animal Control Association (NACA) and its National Animal Control Appreciation Week, visit: http://www.nacanet.org/acoapprec.html
For samples of Animal Blessings, visit the RESOURCES section of Best Friends Animals & Religion Network Community at: http://www.network.bestfriends.org/religion