The first large-scale ceremony of blessing of animals was held in Maksimir Park in Zagreb on Saturday afternoon with several hundred pets and their owners being involved in this event, organised by the Catholic Church and the city administration's department for agriculture.
Today's ceremony at which respect and gratitude were expressed to pets being treated as living creatures also created by God was organised at the initiative of Reverend Prebendary Mijo Gabric who had led such blessing in Rome.
In attendance was also Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic with his retriever.
One of the moderators of this outdoor ceremony, Antun Ponos, said the blessing of pets was a widespread and usual practice in the world.
Today's procession of animals included mainly dogs, and also cats and there were other animals, for instance a parrot.
