Dozens of dogs of all breeds and sizes – along with a few kittens, horses and even a pet goat – were at Orcas Park in Lakeview Terrace for low-cost vaccines and free microchipping at the 2024 Pet Resource Fair.
The April 13 community event also featured a special highlight: a blessing ceremony for the animals.
Besides the vaccinations and complimentary microchips for the first 100 pets, the second annual pet fair hosted by the office of LA City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez provided registration with the LA Department of Animal Services. It also had on-site pet adoptions, a petting zoo and resource booths offering information about affordable spaying/neutering and other pet resources.
“I know firsthand that our pets are family, and it gives me great joy to be able to provide the resources needed to keep them healthy and encourage the community to come out and take advantage of this fair,” said Rodriguez, noting that the primary goal was to create a festive gathering to help keep pets safe and promote responsible animal ownership for all types of pets.
Evelyn Gonzalez and Carlos Perez of Pacoima went to the resource fair with their dogs Lulu and Panda to get them microchipped and give their pets the opportunity to “have fun outdoors” while interacting with other dogs at the park.
“We came for the microchipping – it’s such a good benefit for the community,” said Gonzalez. “Now if [Lulu or Panda] ever get out and end up getting lost, they can find them and contact us.”
“This is a great way to help protect our pets,” Perez added. “Sometimes on the road, I see stray dogs as I drive by and I wonder who they belong to and if they’re going to make it home. I have two dogs and I love them very much. I want to make sure I keep them with me and don’t lose them.”
The Blessing of the Animals ceremony – a tradition in the City of Los Angeles since the 1930s, Rodriguez said – was presented in partnership with El Pueblo de Los Angeles historic district in Downtown LA and Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church in San Fernando.
Rev. Sergio Hidalgo, associate pastor at Santa Rosa, conducted the animal blessings. He prayed over the holy water and then sprinkled it over the parade of pet owners and their animals as they walked by the front of the event platform, which was adorned with colorful flowers.
Hidalgo described the spiritual significance of the blessing ritual and the importance of pets as companions in people’s lives.
“As part of God’s grand creation, he created the animals … and in the case of domestic creatures – like dogs, cats and other pets – they are here to help keep us company, to be our companions,” the priest said. “By showing our care in this way, we are showing our care for creation as a whole – not only for the animals in our homes, but for all of nature.”
Tara Roth of Sylmar attended the pet fair with her neighbor Rosa Avalos and their puppies Pebbles and Chloe for the affordable vaccinations and microchipping.
“When I heard about it, I thought, that is so cool – and it was perfect timing because we needed to get [Pebbles] microchipped because she does try to escape whenever she can,” she said with a laugh. “We also needed her to get her booster [shots], but going to a vet can cost so much money.
“I think offering this event is perfect for our community, because there are a lot of people who have low income or limited resources who have pets that they love, so this is great.”