Hell hath no furry.
On Sunday morning, a multitude of New Yorkers brought their fluffy, winged, and scaled companions to St. John the Divine in Manhattan for a special service at the Episcopal church’s annual Blessing of the Animals.
The long-standing tradition, which honors the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology and the environment, was kicked off with a Procession of the Animals that showcased a camel, horse, cow, snake, birds, and a mini-pony. Following the procession, pets present were blessed by members of the clergy on the Cathedral lawn.
Laura Bosley, the cathedral’s programming executive director, shared with The Post, “People are thrilled that their pets are welcomed here and that they can receive a blessing.”
“There are even people who bring photos of pets that can’t make it because they are sick or have recently passed, and our clergy will bless those memories.”
Over the years, the diverse lineup of blessed animals has included tarantulas, butterflies, a sloth, and even a chicken named Lady Gaga, highlighting this year’s turtle, rabbit, guinea pig, and plethora of cats and dogs present. Bosley noted, “For many, pets are like family, and we honor that sentiment, which resonates powerfully with attendees.”
This year’s procession featured fewer barnyard and exotic animals due to concerns raised by animal advocates. Bosley explained, “Despite having the first baby Zebu appear at the cathedral, we made sure to reduce our animal presence in light of feedback from advocates.”
The remaining animals, all sourced from the animal talent agency All Tame Animals, possess individual permits and are accustomed to crowds, the representative confirmed.
John Di Leonardo from Humane Long Island told The Post, “Using animals for entertainment misguides parishioners about responsible pet ownership,” urging the church to “honor the patron saint of animals next year” by ceasing to hire animals for entertainment purposes.
In response, Bosley insisted, “We aim to feature animals that are familiar with large gatherings and active environments. The day celebrates all of God’s creatures, and we respect the concerns of animal advocates.”
As the 110th Street cathedral event quickly filled, hundreds of attendees waited hours for their pets’ blessings following the ceremony.
Julissa and Jumirna Alcober brought their parakeets, Rio and Lemon, to continue their good health streak.
Julissa, 31, recounted, “Rio was unwell a couple of months back, but he’s healed wonderfully, which motivated me to bring him for a blessing.”
Jumirna, 29, added, “Our last bird was with us for 16 years, and we wanted to honor that memory too.”
Dawn Wells, a resident of East Harlem, brought her 20-month-old beagle, Chloe, to experience the church’s “cultural significance,” as she stated.
Wells, 45, expressed her excitement about attending after hearing about the quirky tradition during her decade-long wait while studying at Columbia University.
Mei W., a Harlem local and three-year attendee, brought her 11-month-old Aussie Shepherd mix, Lola Fern, for a blessing, saying, “This one has a little bit of mischief in her.”
“She loves to chew my slippers and flip-flops,” Mei, 65, shared humorously.
She added, “The Episcopalian priests are wonderful—they use names intentionally, making the experience feel special. I genuinely believe they’re receiving a true blessing.”
