"Because all creatures are connected, each must be cherished with love and respect, for all of us as living creatures are dependent on one another." - Pope Francis

St. Francis Pet Ministry started in 2019 as an opportunity for community-building among parishioners and outreach to local agencies serving pets and their owners in need. We strive to

• Provide spiritual and enrichment opportunities to grow in the knowledge of church teaching in respecting all of God's creation.
• Organize fellowship opportunities and social gatherings to connect parishioners that have pets with each other for mutual support.
• Offer bereavement support to parishioners after losing a pet.
• Support local outreach to assist pet owners and pets in crisis with much-needed food and supplies.

The Latest

Pet Ministry at the Thanksgiving Feast

 At this year’s annual Thanksgiving Feast, Dinner, and Clothing Boutique, volunteers from Pet Ministry “petsitted” over 14 dogs. At one point, we watched over 10 at the same time! Because of your generous donations given from the collection at the  St. Francis Feast Day Blessing of the Animals, we were able to give away 38 bags of dog food, 10 bags of cat food, 24 cans of cat food, 2 dozen leashes, and 16 harnesses. We also passed out toys and blankets.  Such was the demand that we ran out of dog food. It was wonderful to meet so many of our guests who didn’t leave their pets with us but stopped by to say hello and get supplies from us.

December and Beyond! 

Since we ran out of supplies we will not be having our December Give Away Event down Venice Boardwalk. Join us in 2023 at future activities. If you wish to be on our email list please contact us at

"Because all creatures are connected, each must be cherished with love and respect, for all of us as living creatures are dependent on one another." - Pope Francis

 

St. Francis Pet Ministry started in 2019 as an opportunity for community-building among parishioners and outreach to local agencies serving pets and their owners in need. We strive to

• Provide spiritual and enrichment opportunities to grow in the knowledge of church teaching in respecting all of God's creation.
• Organize fellowship opportunities and social gatherings to connect parishioners that have pets with each other for mutual support.
• Offer bereavement support to parishioners after losing a pet.
• Support local outreach to assist pet owners and pets in crisis with much-needed food and supplies.

The Latest

Pet Ministry at the Thanksgiving Feast

 At this year’s annual Thanksgiving Feast, Dinner, and Clothing Boutique, volunteers from Pet Ministry “petsitted” over 14 dogs. At one point, we watched over 10 at the same time! Because of your generous donations given from the collection at the  St. Francis Feast Day Blessing of the Animals, we were able to give away 38 bags of dog food, 10 bags of cat food, 24 cans of cat food, 2 dozen leashes, and 16 harnesses. We also passed out toys and blankets.  Such was the demand that we ran out of dog food. It was wonderful to meet so many of our guests who didn’t leave their pets with us but stopped by to say hello and get supplies from us.

 

December and Beyond! 

Since we ran out of supplies we will not be having our December Give Away Event down Venice Boardwalk. Join us in 2023 at future activities. If you wish to be on our email list please contact us at

 

Archived Events

Sheltering and Caring for Animals

Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, 7 p.m. · Duval Center

Animal shelters have many areas of concern, but the mission of all shelters is to care for and place homeless animals. They rely on donations from the public to do their important work. Municipal shelters are funded by the municipality-- but are often underfunded. They often have non-profit arms that are funded by donations.

 

Join us as we welcome staff from the Santa Monica Animal Shelter for an evening designed to give our community a better understanding of what an animal shelter is, how it operates and how it provides a service for animals as well as the community and the common good. Questions?  

Hiking at Will Rogers State Park 

Sunday, February 20 | 9:00 a.m. | Will Rogers St. Park

Let's go hiking with our furbabies! We will meet in the parking lot of Will Rodgers State Park around 9:00am. Please be advised that you do need to pay for parking ($3 per hour). Our hike should be no more than 1.5 to 2 hours round trip.

 

Things to bring: comfortable shoes, water bowl for your dogs, water for you, disposable waste bags to pick up after your pet. Please be advised that we recommend your dog be fully vaccinated, including the lepto, influenza and rabies vaccines as they will be exposed to nature and wildlife. 

 

 

The park is located off Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades at 1501 Will Rogers State Park Road. For more information on Will Rogers State Park including directions CLICK HERE.

 

Please note: As we are only hiking/walking with our pets in the open air, masks are not required. Feel free to mask up if you wish. However, if you are planning on either before or touring the ranch house at the State Park after our hike, then In accordance with City of Los Angeles Municipal Code Article 10, Chapter XX, proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours is required prior to entering.  

 

 

 

Howl-O-Ween Hiking

Saturday, Oct. 30 | 10:00 a.m. | Will Rogers St. Park

Let's go hiking with our furbabies and celebrate Halloween! We will meet in the parking lot of Will Rodgers State Park around 9:30-10am. Please be advised that you do need to pay for parking ($3 per hour). Our hike should be no more than 1.5 to 2 hours round trip. Feel free to wear something Halloween festive - you may even win a prize! 

 

Things to bring: comfortable shoes, water bowl for your dogs, water for you, disposable waste bags to pick up after your pet. Please be advised that we recommend your dog be fully vaccinated, including the lepto, influenza and rabies vaccines as they will be exposed to nature and wildlife. 

Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi: Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, Oct. 3 | 1:30 p.m. | Car Procession - enter via Washington Ave. entrance

 

We celebrated the Blessing of the Animals at St. Monica with a car procession on Sunday, October 3. It was a great afternoon and Father Vince Kuna mentioned that it seemed to be “the biggest ever” with just over 30 cars with more than one family in most of the vehicles. Some walked through or came by bike as well. If you missed the event you can still bless your pet by sprinkling holy water and reciting the the following prayer:

 

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.