 Ceremonial blessing of companion animals occurs throughout the world, for example, Australia, Canada, Scotland, and the United States.Blessing of animals is a religious activity, and occurs broadly across most religions in some form, including, for example, across Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Shintoism, Unitarian Universalism, amongst others.Secular respect for animals is also strong, for example, World Animal Day, an international day of action for animal rights and welfare celebrated annually, but is still held on 4 October, the feast day of Francis of Assisi, a Christian patron saint of animals.