MIDTOWN — Maybe life won't be so ruff for these little guys anymore.
More than two dozens homeless animals and their rescuers gathered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Thursday morning for a special blessing to mark the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
“All these animals are waiting for their second chance, and so are we,” Jane Hoffman, the president of the Mayor’s Alliance for NY’s Animals, told Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who performed the blessing.
“We see God’s hands even in these small animals,” said Dolan.
According to Hoffman, all of the homeless puppies, kittens, dogs, cats and bunnies at the blessing are in need of new permanent homes.
Many came from shelters run by the city's New York City’s Animal Care & Control, where animals are at risk to be euthanized.
The Alliance’s Wheel of Hope program then takes the cuddly critters to non-profit “no-kill” shelters and rescue programs that have the resources to find them new home.
“The journey for many of the pets here today has been hard,” said Hoffman. “Whether victims of abuse or abandonment, they deserve a loving home.”
According to the Alliance, the Wheel of Hope has transported more than 40,000 cats, dogs and other animals from “kill-shelters” to other organizations and rescue groups.
“We’re so happy to be blessed by the Cardinal,” said Hoffman. “The fact that these dogs, cats and rabbit are blessed by His Eminence the Cardinal helps to reach a wider attention — which is better for them to be adopted.”
Any one interested in adopting a homeless pet can visit the Alliance’s website for more information.
