Pets to be blessed

Unity Center Church will conduct its second annual Pet Blessing from 10 a.m. to noon Sat., Oct. 8 at Waverly Park, 1300 E. Avenida de las Flores, Thousand Oaks. All types of pets are welcome, and last year’s event drew everything from guinea pigs to donkeys.

“We’re pleased to conduct an event that honors the special place companion animals, and all animals, hold in our lives,” said Rev. Mary Lacalle, who will perform the blessing ceremony. “All members of the community are encouraged to bring either their animal companions or a photo of them for a blessing. There is no charge; however, a love offering will be accepted.”

Concerned People for Animals (CPA), a local nonprofit organization that has saved thousands of stray and abandoned pets through its low-cost spay/neuter, foster and adoption programs, will have an information table at the event.

“We’re delighted to take part in Unity’s event,” said CPA representative Carel Ahlefeld. “Not only will we be able to provide the community with information about controlling the animal population, but we’ll also be engraving pet tags on the spot. We’ve found that lost animals with pet tags are much more likely to be returned to their owners, even if they’ve been microchipped.”

Unity Center Church is a transdenominational spiritual community “that honors the Truth in all religions,” according to LaCalle. Regular Sunday worship services are 10 a.m. at 1414 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

For information call (805) 496-6901.