Pet Owners Gather For Blessing Of The Animals As Part Of Feast of St. Francis At Sonoma County Winery

Pet owners recently celebrated the Feast of St. Francis at the annual Blessing of the Animals event at St. Francis Winery and Vineyards in Santa Rosa, Calif. The winerys Blessing of the Animals is a fundraiser supporting the Humane Society of Sonoma County. Sundays fundraiser marked 20 years of the tradition, which includes a blessing for every animal in attendance. The fundraiser also included the “Winery Dog of the Year” contest, wine, food and raffle prizes. A video shared by Twitter user @SuzanneCasament shows attendees enjoying the views and relaxing with their pets on a wide lawn filled with tents. “Here at St. Francis, we have a deep appreciation for animals and nature and are honored to support an organization that works so hard to care for our four-legged friends,” the winery said on its website. The winerys namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, is known for being the founder of the Franciscans and is considered a patron of animals and nature.