There is a patron saint for that (part 5)
St. Melangell: Rabbits
Feast Day: May 27
St. Melangell was the daughter of an Irish king. The wished her to marry but she refused, and fled to central Wales where she became a hermit. As legend has it Brochwel Yscythrog, Prince of Powys, was hunting rabbits one day, as he pursued his game he came into a great thicket. Here he saw the beautiful St. Melangell, with the rabbit protected in her robes, in a deep devotion. Instantly the prince’s trained hunting dogs retreated a distance, howling, and not obeying their master’s commands. When the prince tried to blow his horn, it did not make a sound and stuck to his lips. Amazed by this Prince Brochwel heard St. Melangell’s story, and gifted her land for an abbey.
St. Hubert of Liege: Rabies
Feast Day: November 3
St. Hubert was born in Toulouse, France in the 7th century. According to legend St. Hubert was given a golden key by St. Peter, as well as a stole from Angels on his consecration. This key would give St. Hubert special powers against evil spirits. Not long after, St. Hubert miraculously cured a man who had been bitten by a rabid dog.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha: Turtles
Feast Day: July 14
St. Kateri Tekakwitha was born to the Mohawk tribe located in present day New York. The Mohawk suffered a severe smallpox epidemic, because of this her younger brother and both her parents died of smallpox. St. Kateri Tekakwitha survived, but was left facial scared and with impaired eyesight. She was adopted by her aunt and uncle, a chief of the Turtle Clan. St. Kateri Tekakwitha is the first Native American to be canonized.
St. Martin de Porres: Veterinarians
Feast Day: November 3
St. Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru. He is said to have a great ability to care for, communicate with, and build a remarkable rapport with animals.
St Brendan the Navigator: Whales
Feast Day: May 16
St. Brendan the Navigator was born in Ireland in the 6th century. He is known for the legends of his adventures while searching for the Isles of the blessed. One of the legends of St. Brendan has that while sailing the Atlantic he and his group stop on a small island to celebrate Easter Mass. When light a fire they discovered the island is a gigantic whale.
St. Blaise: Wild Animals (and Veterinarians)
Feast Day: February 3
Little is known about St. Blaise, but he is mentioned in the book of Acts. He is said to treat both animals and people. One story goes that he a poor woman whose pig had been taken by a wolf. With St. Blaise’s command the wolf returned the pig to its owner, alive and unharmed.
St. Edmund the Martyr: Wolves
Feast Day: November 20
St. Edmund was born in the 9th century and is the martyred king of the East Angles. In 866 St. Edmund died in a place known as Haegelisdun by the Danes. He refused to renounce his faith and the Danes beat him, shot him with arrows, and then beheaded him. According to legend, St. Edmund’s head was then thrown into the forest. The searchers were able to find to safely by following the cries of a wolf calling, "Here, Here, Here."
