“If we pay attention, [animals] can teach us a lot about God's love,” says Gayle Fiser, a pet ministry veteran and United Methodist layperson. “We always talk about unconditional love when we talk about our pets and how they model that for us.”
Ready to get started?
Singleton and Fiser’s book, New Tricks: How Pet Ministry Can Transform Faith Communities and Change Lives, is part devotional and part how-to resource for people who are interested in starting a pet ministry.
In addition to reflection questions, the book is packed with stories, resources and information that will support individuals and small groups who cherish their pets and who are seeking ways to connect with their community through a shared love of animals. It even includes an assessment tool and an implementation guide with step-by-step instructions for research and planning.
While United Methodist theology is woven throughout, the book is appropriate for anyone seeking to enhance their work and relationships with animal lovers. It is available to order from The Upper Room.
A video about the book is also available.
“[Pets bring] presence, mindfulness and loyalty…all those are right out of the Bible,” adds the Rev. Betsy Singleton Snyder, pastor at Pinnacle View United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. She and Fiser are passionate animal lovers, and they collaboratively lead the church’s thriving, multifaceted pet ministry.
Celebrating the connections people have with pets and developing relationships with pet parents can lead to meaningful discipleship.
Pet-related ministries are needed, and are flourishing
Whether a dog, cat, bird, horse or lizard, approximately 200 million people have a pet, and nearly all of them think of their animals as family members. In fact, 51% think of their pets as much a part of their family as a human member.
Consider this alongside the worldwide declining birthrate and we’ll see that, in the U.S., there are more pets in households than children. Millennials lead the way in animal companionship, and members of Gen Z are more likely to have multiple pets.
What this means for United Methodists is there is a ripe mission field awaiting response. Snyder says, “This is pastoral care, evangelism, hospitality, mission and service…It could even be considered a Fresh Expression.” Fresh Expressions are creative ministries that focus on reaching people in new ways.
Consider opportunities for a pet ministry
Any animal lover can begin a pet-related ministry. There are many ways to reach out and offer care to pet parents, as well as opportunities to engage fellow animal enthusiasts. Here are a few ideas:
Find more pet ministry ideas, such as pet prayer blankets and therapy dog training, in an accompanying feature story: Pet ministry offers hope and healing to all
If you’re looking for information about community outreach, visit our Creative Outreach Ideas page.
- Respond to those who’ve lost a pet: Send condolence cards or hold a pet memorial service. Fiser shares, “Sometimes society doesn't recognize the grief of [losing] a pet, but we say it's real, they’re family, and we validate that. We want to help them through that grief, because it's difficult.”
- Host pet-related community service projects: Gather food and supplies for local animal shelters, collect funds to help people pay for vital pet care, or host a pet adoption event. Pinnacle View UMC even occasionally holds a special communion Sunday offering to support the pet ministry’s efforts.
- Advocate: Seeking better lives for animals is a way everyone can be caretakers of God’s creation. Partner with a local organization that cares for animals in need, one that advocates for conservation efforts or a group that promotes the humane treatment of animals.
- Provide temporary foster homes: Build a network of pet lovers who want to assist others in times of need. Explains Fiser, “If someone's in the hospital or has rehab and they don't have the resources to care for their pet, I can call a temporary foster care provider, and they'll take care of that pet.”
- Help pet families find a place to belong: With many young people becoming more and more attached to their pets, they are seeking ways to serve their communities alongside their animals. Consider how you can invite them to serve in your ministry.
Whether your church is small or large, Fiser encourages, “There are so many different things that you can do in the pet community.”
Betsy Singleton Snyder (left) and Gayle Fiser lead the pet ministry at Pinnacle View United Methodist Church. They are on a mission to share the possibilities of animal-related ministries with others. Photo courtesy of Gayle Fiser.
Build community through commonality
“Our pet community is bipartisan,” Fiser observes. “We can all come together with our pets and engage in activities and conversations. We can all be together and love each other, and in society today that's becoming more and more difficult. But our pets can help us be better neighbors to each other and kinder to each other, sometimes through just the interaction with other people through pet activities.”
Pet families are likely to respond resoundingly to a new animal-related ministry because such ministries are not common, and the need is so great. Establishing your congregation as a place where they can connect with fellow pet lovers, receive support and work together to better the lives of animals can be a powerful way to extend your church’s presence and mission.
Laura Buchanan works for UMC.org at United Methodist Communications. Contact her by email.
This story was published on September 9, 2025.
