This Sunday, Oct. 6, Branford Compassion Club (BCC) celebrates all animal friends of the family with its annual Animal Awareness Day from noon to 4 p.m. on the Branford town green. At 1:30 p.m., pets and their people are welcome to partake of the Annual Blessing of the Animals.

If you can’t bring along your pet to receive a blessing, a photo will do, said Rev. Joe Perdue of Branford First Congregational Church, who is chairing the blessing activity. Ministers from all Branford faith groups have been invited to participate.

“Even if you don’t have a picture, we’ll be happy to give a blessing to your animal remotely,” said Perdue.

BCC’s 2024 Animal Awareness Day is a rain or shine event which will include live music, food trucks, a bake sale, raffle, children’s activities tent, a vibrant marketplace including craft and business vendors, and opportunities tied to meeting rescue animals and to learn more about animal advocacy from visiting rescue groups, such as Turtle Haven, which will be bringing rescue turtles.

In addition to the 1:30 p.m. Blessing of the Animals, other specific times for certain featured events include the Mystic Aquarium Traveling Touch Tank from noon to 3 p.m.; visiting mini therapy horses and therapy dogs at 12:30 p.m; and a Guiding Eyes for the Blind presentation at 2:30 p.m.

“It’s a wonderful way to learn how to take care of our pets,” said Perdue. “The reason it happens on October 6 is that it’s historically tied to St. Francis Day; because St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals, among other things.”

Perdue said there are many reasons why pet owners, who are given the privilege of taking care of their animals, may want to participate in the Blessing of the Animals.

“I think it’s good for people to be reminded that God loves all of creation. A lot of our faith is very human-centric, and that’s understandable, to some extent. But at least in my particular part of the Christian tradition, God created the entire world and called it good,” said Perdue. “We are not meant to dominate the world, or exploit it, or use it for our own purposes. We are here as caretakers, and relationships with our pets should reflect that.”

Animal Awareness Day benefits non-profit BCC Feline Rescue and Adoption Center. Founded in Branford in 1997, BCC offers rescue cat and kitten adoptions at its North Branford adoption center, which first opened in 2011. The center, located at 2037 Foxon Road, offers visits by appointment for approved adopters only.

Since BCC began keeping official records in 2008, loving homes have been secured for over 3,300 rescued cats and kittens, according to information shared at the organization’s website, branfordcompassionclub.org

For more information on how to support BCC, visit branfordcompassionclub.org