Hear our prayer O Lord ... for animals that are overworked, underfed, and cruelly treated;

for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put to death....
and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.

Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.