April 18, 2011
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Phaedra Kohler, Director of Customer and Volunteer Services
(772) 388-3331 ext. 20
E-mail: pkohler@hsvb.org
Humane Society Hosts Blessing of the Animals
(Vero Beach, Florida) - The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River
County (HSVB & IRC) invites members of the community and their companion
animals to the annual Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, April 30th, 2011,
at 10:00 A.M. The service will be held at the Humane Society's Volunteer
Pavilion located at 6230 77th Street (Hobart Road), Vero Beach. The Blessing
of the Animals is held immediately before "Be Kind to Animals Week", a
nationally recognized week celebrating the human/animal bond and promoting
the protection of all animals.
This year's service will be conducted by Reverend Dr. John R. Jacobs and the
Reverend Deacon Lew Gwyn, with musical accompaniment by the acclaimed Vero
Beach High School Chamber Strings under the direction of Matthew Stott.
During this non-denominational event, each attending animal will be blessed
and receive a special bandana commemorating The Blessing. Members of the
community without pets are also welcome to attend the celebration. "The
Blessing is meant to honor all animals, including those who have been
abandoned, lost or mistreated," HSVB & IRC Executive Director Chalmers Morse
explained.
Participants should arrive by 9:30 AM to register their pet for the
ceremony. Families can bring a photo of their pet to be blessed if their
animal is too frail to attend.
Although there is no charge to participate, The Humane Society of Vero Beach
and Indian River County asks attendees to consider making a contribution to
the Humane Society's Spay/Neuter fund. Donations of supplies such as sheets,
towels and blankets for the animals housed and cared for at the shelter are
also welcomed. For further information please call the Humane Society at
388-3331 ext. 20.
