Unity of the Keys Blessing of Animals Saturday at White Street Pier

Unity of the Keys held its annual Blessing of the Animals Saturday at the Key West Wildlife Center parking lot across from the White Street Pier, 1801 White St., conducting the ceremony from 9 to 10 a.m. The event invited pet owners and animal lovers to bring well-behaved, leashed or crated companion animals for a blessing and offered an option to submit photos or names for absentia blessings.

Announcements for the ceremony named Reverend Daybree Thoms of Unity of the Keys as the officiant and framed the service as part of the congregation’s regular outreach. Unity of the Keys’ event page asks the public to “Please join us for this sacred annual event, reminding us of our connection with all of life and the preciousness of those who share this planet with us,” language organizers used in pre-event messaging.

The Unity website and local listings highlighted the broad variety of animals that participate in the tradition. Past ceremonies have included mounted police horses, a canine unit German Shepherd, dozens of dogs and cats, birds and even rabbits, and event materials note that blessings have ranged from “tiny hamsters to police horses.” Organizers also explicitly offered remembrance blessings for pets that have died, using phrasing that blessings are offered to companions who have “made their transition” or “crossed the Rainbow Bridge.”

Unity of the Keys reiterated that owners should prioritize animal safety and the comfort of other participants. Event guidance advised that “animals should be properly leashed, crated, or in appropriate carriers for their safety and the comfort of other participants.” For those who could not attend, Unity’s site and event notices made clear: “We bless many of our animal friends via photographs as well, blessed in absentia. Blessings are offered, also, to those pet companions who have made their transition.” Organizers invited absentia submissions to church@unityofthekeys.org and listed the church phone number, 305-296-5888, for further information.

The Blessing of the Animals took place amid a weekend of local animal-focused activities. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm was scheduled to be open to the public Sunday, Feb. 22, from 1 to 3 p.m. at 5525 College Road and welcomed food contributions such as zucchini, sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, heads of romaine lettuce, kale and eggs. Unity of the Keys also noted its regular worship location and hours for those seeking additional community programming: Sunday services at 11 a.m. at 1011 Virginia St., Key West.