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The Animal Kinship Ministry of the Center for Spiritual Living of Capistrano Valley, led by Rosemarie Tingle, is one of many Animal Kinship Ministries blossoming in churches and faith organizations across the country. The groups typically offer prayer and grief support in addition to annual events such as animal blessings. Partnerships with local shelters yield a significant number of animal adoptions.

Here’s a closer look at Tingle:

Q. What is your full-time job?

A. I was a photographer part time, specializing in animals, until I started the Animal Kinship Ministry. The ministry has become a full-time job, but I enjoy it so much, I do not consider it work.

Q. What were your career dreams as a kid?

A. I do not remember having any particular career in mind. However, I have always had compassion for animals. As a child, I once had a pet rooster. Chickens are thought to be as intelligent as cats, dogs and even some primates. My passion has become my career.

Q. How did the Animal Kinship Ministry of the San Juan Capistrano Center for Spiritual Living start?

A. I gained a wealth of knowledge during the five years I volunteered at the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter and considered starting an animal-welfare organization on my own. However, starting a nonprofit seemed quite involved. Looking back, I guess it just was not the right time for me. Later, while on vacation, I had the opportunity to visit the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, the largest animal sanctuary in the U.S. Little did I know at the time, they also had an Animals and Religion program. A series of articles appeared in their magazine, beginning with “The Kindness Revival: Why Don’t Churches Preach Compassion for Animals?” which caught my attention.

Q. So you were intrigued …

A. In September 2008, I approached our minister, Dr. Heather Clark, and she agreed to me starting an Animal Kinship Ministry at our church. I guess the time was right, because now I know God is my partner.

Q. Tell us what it does and about your own involvement.

A. Our intentions are to honor and support the human-animal bond and increase respect for animals through education, service and prayer. On the first Sunday of every month, we have a table on our patio after each service with educational information on animals or issues that affect animals. Adopt-a-Cat Month, vegetarianism and humane education have been some of past subjects. I do the research for these subjects, as well as write the Animal Kinship Ministry column for our newsletter. We raffled off two Easter baskets, one each for a dog and cat and their guardian. Two of our volunteers share animal-centric information with the children who attend our youth church. When a child begins to consider the lives and feelings of animals, I believe this promotes compassion, understanding and empathy.

Q. What are some of the things the group has done in the community?

A. Throughout the year, one of our intentions is to support animal-welfare organizations. In April, we conducted a parking-lot rummage sale to raise funds for that purpose. However, our service is not limited to domestic animals. This month we are supporting the rescue efforts of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach. We also have two prayer practitioners who do prayers for pets and their guardians on request. Last December, we conducted animal blessings, which is not unusual in itself except for the fact it was for the homeless animals at the Orange County Animal Shelter. Twenty-five percent of animals at shelters are purebred, the rest are Soma breeds – some of this and some of that!

Q. Why do you think this group is important to a community?

A. To most people, their pets are considered family. Do you know of any other churches in Orange County that do what we do? Kindness to animals creates a better world for all of us.

Q. How has what you are doing benefited or enhanced your life?

A. I have become more spiritually aware. It has reaffirmed to me that prayer always works. I could not do this without that belief.

Q. What is the best part of what you do?

A. Knowing I am making a positive difference for animals.

Q. How about the most challenging?

A. Sometimes when I do not get what I want, I have to remind myself that it is for good and something better is on the way. Just like the fact I was not able to create a nonprofit when I first wanted it. Now I created something even better, an Animal Kinship Ministry.

Q. How can people get involved or volunteer?

A. Our center welcomes all beliefs. I suggest attending a few services, and if you like the Sunday messages, volunteer on our Animal Kinship Ministry team.

Q. Do you have any pets of your own?

A. I have had dogs and birds in the past. … I currently have four adopted cats that have truly opened my heart.

Q. Any words of advice for someone who might want to follow in your footsteps?

A. This ministry is very fulfilling for me. Twenty years ago, I would have never pictured myself volunteering in a church. Consider approaching your minister about promoting kindness to animals in your church.

Send story ideas to Debbiesklar@cox.net.

P. S.  Kudos to DEBBIE L. SKLAR and the Orange County Register for writing and printing this!

P.P.S.  One person puts her compassion into action and saves the lives of those who have no voice.  Check the links in the article if you want to be involved or send me your (com)passion and I will enblazen it here!

You matter,Chad.