God bless all the creatures great and small

Yelps and howls filled the air as the blessing of the animals got underway at Good Shepherd Church in Sheepshead Bay with the rite spirit.

The annual benediction in honor of St. Francis of Assisi %u2013 the patron saint of animals %u2013 drew area pet owners to the church courtyard at 1950 Batchelder Street, where Rev. Michael McGee administered the rites.

The furry and feathered congregation included an assortment of pooches, felines, hamsters and birds.