Mission

Our mission is to support rescue organizations and programs that benefit shelter animals and to provide resources, support, comfort, pastoral care and love to God’s creatures and the individuals that love and care for them. 

St. Philip Neri Animal Ministry is a non-profit outreach of St. Philip Neri Ecumenical Church, a non-denominational church that welcomes pets and humans of all faiths. The Animal Ministry was formed in 2011 to reflect the church’s love of all God’s creation. The ministry started as a way to provide comfort and pastoral support to pet owners that were struggling with the death or end of life decisions for their beloved pets.  Eventually the Ministry’s mission grew to include providing food, resources, and support to “God’s creatures and the individuals that love and care for them.”  

Today, the Ministry’s mission has further expanded to support programs that benefit shelter animals while still continuing to provide support to pets and their parents.  Since its creation, the Animal Ministry has provided assistance to over 240 animals and families through various rescue organizations, individuals and families.    

 

St. Philip Neri Animal Ministry is a Best Friends Animal Society Network Partner, recognized for our work to help save animals in our community and end the killing of animals in our shelters by 2025. 

 

Our largest fundraiser is our annual Blessing of the Pets & Family Pet Fair. This year will be our 10th year and the event will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 10am – 2pm at Fletcher Park in San Marco.  To learn more and keep up to date, visit our event page on Facebook.

 

In 2015, to satisfy the Animal Ministry’s mission to support programs that benefit shelter animals, the Animal Ministry began sponsoring shelter dogs for the TAILS (Teaching Animals & Inmates Life Skills) Program.  The Animal Ministry has sponsored 14 dogs at four correctional facilities.