Madness.

But that has done nothing to deter All Saints Anglican Church from holding its increasingly popular blessing of the animals service each year.

All creatures big, small, scaly or fluffy will be welcomed by the church on Monday, October 3 for the annual service which sees Reverend Kesh Govan bless animals.

“Animals play a great, important role in our lives,” Rev Govan said.

“They show us a lot of love, for many people they are best friends and sometimes, I think, we take them for granted.

“We want to celebrate the role they play and recognise that they are God’s great gift to us.

“It’s a wonderful thing to have pets and animals that bring us joy and happiness.

“The service is a way we can make them feel special for a day.”

The Torr family had their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, named Charlie, blessed last year.

“I think it’s a lovely thing to do,” Emma Torr, mother to Molly, pictured, said.

“Animals are such a blessing.

“He [Charlie] is a big part of our lives. Our children are christened, so we wanted to have Charlie blessed.”

The blessing service is open to all people and animals.

All Saints Anglican Church has offered the animal blessing service since 2012.

Rev Govan continued the young tradition when he relocated to Nelson Bay from England with his family in 2014.

The blessing of the animals was just as popular in England where he was the vicar of three churches before moving, Rev Govan said.

The service was also made popular in the successful television series The Vicar of Dibley.

This year the blessing of the animals service will be held at the Peace Lutheran Church, on Gan Gan Road at Anna Bay, from 4pm.

There will be a free community barbecue and a Barkers in Balance group will be doing demonstrations on the church grounds.

Attendees are encouraged to take a picnic rug or chairs along.

Families who have their pets or animals blessed will receive a certificate.