Filipinos dress pets in Sunday best for blessings on World Animal Day

Philippine pet owners had their dogs, cats, and even rabbits put on their Sunday best to get blessed by a priest at a Manila mall on Sunday (October 6). The special mass is held by a Catholic priest who sprinkles holy water to bless the animals in celebration of World Animal Day in the past week. Pet owners at the ceremony said their four-legged friends have become an important part of their family. "My prayer for him is that I hope he lives a longer life as I am an only child and he has been my companion in all the journeys I had in my life," dog owner Ela Anghela told Reuters. World Animal Day falls on October 4, a day on which Catholics celebrate the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. (Production: Adrian Portugal)