Animal saints: The patron saints for our animal friends

Why are dogs blessed everywhere on 4 October? The date is no coincidence – it is the death anniversary of Francis of Assisi, and World Animal Welfare Day falls on this day for a reason. What surprises many: animal welfare is not an invention of our time. Even in the Middle Ages, there were people who did not simply view animals as tools, but as living beings deserving of protection. This is older than any law.

What practical lessons are contained in old animal welfare stories?

There is more behind the saints’ legends than pious symbolism. Francis of Assisi preached in the 13th century that animals are equal fellow creatures – at the time, a rather radical statement in a society that judged animals primarily by their utility.

What he did concretely: He watched animals. He observed what they needed and acted accordingly. Saint Rochus, on the other hand, literally owed his life to a stray dog – the dog brought him bread when he was lying in the forest suffering from the plague. Both understood what many still learn today: animals do not just function; they feel and have their own needs.

If someone today treats their dog as a family member rather than as property, they are building on this ancient principle – whether they know it or not.

How does Franciscan animal welfare manifest in modern dog keeping?

Francis spoke of every wolf, every bird as “brother” or “sister”. This sounds poetic, but it has a very practical consequence: If you recognise another being as an equal, you stop imposing your own pace on it.

On a walk, this means, for example: The dog is allowed to stand still and sniff, even if it takes ten minutes. You learn to read its body language – when it is tired, when something is too much for it, when it simply needs rest. This is not sentimental fussing; it is attentive observation.

The difference from pure obedience training lies precisely here: It is not about the dog obeying, but about you finding a common rhythm. Partnership instead of dominance – that is the Franciscan principle, translated into the present.

What can modern animal shelters learn from the legend of Rochus?

A sick man, alone in the forest, cared for by a dog that no one wanted. The legend of Rochus is actually a story about mutual rescue – and exactly that happens in animal shelters every day, only in reverse.

Today’s animal shelters take on the role of Rochus: They take in injured, sick, traumatised dogs and bring them back to life. But they go further than the legend. Instead of just providing care, they prepare animals for a new home – with social training, veterinary support and rehoming work.

Anyone who adopts an animal shelter animal, donates or volunteers becomes a modern Rochus. This idea is not an exaggeration – it simply shows that the basic concept from 700 years ago still holds true.

How has animal welfare developed since the Middle Ages?

In the Middle Ages, animal welfare depended on individuals – on saints, monks, people with unusually much compassion for their time. This was fragile. When Francis died, his influence was initially noticeable mainly within his order.

Today, animal welfare is institutionally anchored. The German Animal Welfare Act of 1972 states: “No person may cause an animal pain, suffering or damage without reasonable grounds.” Francis and Rochus would have signed this formulation immediately – even though they had religious beliefs rather than laws as their basis at the time.

The decisive change: Modern animal welfare no longer relies solely on faith, but on research. Today we know that dogs feel pain, develop stress, need social bonds – and we can measure this. This fundamentally changes the debate.

Why do we celebrate World Animal Welfare Day on 4 October?

4 October is the death anniversary of Francis of Assisi. Worldwide, dogs, cats and other animals are blessed in churches on this day – a custom that goes directly back to the Franciscan tradition and is still alive in many countries today.

Are animal blessings just a religious custom or do they have practical benefits?

The two are not mutually exclusive. Animal blessings create public awareness for animal welfare – and remind owners once a year that their animals need care and protection. This works regardless of the religious background of the participants.

How can I live Franciscan values as a dog owner?

Treat your dog as a living being with its own needs – not as a status symbol or functional device. Observe it closely, learn its signals and take them seriously. Anyone who supports animal welfare organisations, whether financially or with time, extends this attitude beyond their own dog.

What distinguishes historical from modern animal welfare?

Historical animal welfare was religiously justified and mostly limited to individual personalities or communities. Modern animal welfare is legally regulated, scientifically substantiated and socially organised – with associations, regulatory authorities and international exchange.

Do other religions have similar animal welfare traditions?

Certainly. In Buddhism and Hinduism, Ahimsa – non-violence towards all living beings – is a central principle. In Islam, animals are considered creatures of Allah, towards whom humans have responsibility. These beliefs continue to shape concrete regional animal welfare practices in many parts of the world.