STORY: Hundreds of pet owners gathered at San Francisco Plaza in Quito on Saturday (October 3) for the annual blessing of animals, a tradition honouring Saint Francis of Assisi's connection with animal welfare.

Franciscan priests blessed dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, roosters and even the ashes of beloved dead pet during the ceremony held on October 3, one day earlier than the traditional October 4 date.

The Catholic Church established the tradition in connection with Saint Francis of Assisi, recognised as the patron saint of ecology and animals. The World Animal Protection Organisation designated October 4 as Animal Day in 1929, and the blessing tradition is observed across Latin American countries.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: QUITO, ECUADOR (OCTOBER 3, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF FRANCISCAN PRIESTS BLESSING PETS

2. WORSHIPPER WITH A RABBIT TO BE BLESSED

3. PEOPLE WITH CATS

4. PET OWNER WITH SMALL RABBIT

5. DEVOTEE WITH A "CUY" (ANDEAN GUINEA PIG)

6. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WITH DOGS

7. WORSHIPPER WITH A FISH IN A FISH BOWL

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FRANCISCAN PRIEST AND GUARDIAN OF THE SAN FRANCISCO DE QUITO CONVENT, FRAY EDGAR ABAD, SAYING:

"They bring them above all because there is certainly a state of faith, but especially because they feel that little animal is part of their family as such."

9. ABAD BLESSING CROWD AND PETS

10. SAN FRANCISCO PLAZA FILLED WITH PEOPLE WITH PETS

11. PEOPLE WITH BOX CONTAINING ASHES OF THEIR PET

12. PEOPLE WITH DOGS

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PET OWNER, ISABELA CARDENAS, SAYING:

"I am the happiest woman to bring my little dog so that God may bless her and she accompanies me for many, many, many, many more years."

14. WORSHIPPER CARRYING A LARGE DOG

15. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PET OWNER, ENMA MORENO, SAYING:

"May all the little animals be blessed, cared for, protected, and not abandoned. Now there are many abandoned and mistreated animals. We have to be conscious and love them very much. For me, he is one more son."

16. VARIOUS OF LUIS AMAGUAÑA PETTING A ROOSTER

17. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ROOSTER OWNER, LUIS AMAGUAÑA, SAYING:

"The most important thing is that when he was born he had a broken leg. They were going to kill him, they were going to throw him away. That's when I decided to take care of him because I felt compassion, I grew fond of him."

18. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WITH THEIR PETS