The Shell Factory Nature Park in North Fort Myers held a ceremony today to honor Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

Father Fritz Ligonde from Saint Francis Xavier Church in Fort Myers blessed the 200-plus animals at the park.

"We do this to honor the animals," says Ligonde. "It's the same way we ask for blessings for ourselves, people bless their house, they bless everything they have."

Everything from gators to skunks were sprinkled with holy water.

To learn more about these blessed critters, call 239-995-2141.