Celebration organiser the Rev Helene Mann once jokingly termed the celebration event "chaos unlimited", given the previous occasional barking of dogs and other minor pet disruptions.
She said yesterday that the popular annual event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of animal and pet welfare, and the need also to respect and protect the environment, as parts of the glory of creation.
The service is held at the cathedral each year on the Sunday closest to the St Francis of Assisi feast day, on October 4.
She said that the service also aimed to raise awareness of the life and thought of St Francis, who was born in Italy in the 12th century.
St Francis devoted himself serving the poor, is known as the patron saint of animals and also arranged the first Christmas manger scene in 1223.
She said the Dunedin service was successful again this year, although it had attracted slightly fewer participants than last year.
