The service was attended by about 50 people and 20 non-people.
Susan Baird, of Dunedin, brought one of her 19 rabbits, Roxy, to the service. ''I bring a different one along every year,'' she said.
Kaikorai Primary School pupil Sammy Johnson (10) arrived with his guinea pigs, Cocoa and Silky.
''I like guinea pigs, because they're cute and fluffy and they like being cuddled,'' he said.
The blessing was a celebration of the life of St Francis of Assisi, the Anglican Dean of Dunedin, the Rev Dr Trevor James, said, assisted by his English setter, Mac.
''St Francis showed us that in animals we realise something holy and precious. We celebrate the interconnectedness of all creation and how animals remind us of that.''
The service featured hymns, animal blessings by Br Christopher of the Order of St Francis and a reflection by Otago SPCA inspector Steph Saunders.
''Man's best friend is god spelled backwards,'' she said.
''Your dog will be faithful and true to you until the last beat of his heart.''
However, it is disappointing to report that there was some bad behaviour. Jenny Salmon's poodle Salome took an irreverent nature call against the side of the cathedral and an anonymous black poodle had to be removed for constantly interrupting the service.
