Loudoun's Pet Remembrance
Candle Lighting Ceremony

Church Entrance

Pet Candle Lighting Ceremony - Monique Playing Harp

Pet Candle Lighting Ceremony - Reverend Kate

Pet Candle Lighting Ceremony - Roll of Honor

The Pet Remembrance Candle Lighting Ceremony was started by the Nikki Hospice Foundation for Pets in partnership with the Benicia Vallejo Humane Society in California. The first ceremony was held on March 5, 2005.

It is the hope of these two organizations that pet lovers all over the world will participate in this special ceremony honoring all beloved pets who have passed on, are lost, or have been separated from their families. They encourage pet lovers to attend similar local events or simply join them by lighting a candle at home for one hour at 7:00pm local time on March 5.

The ceremony was brought to Loudoun County in 2009 by Dr. Krisi Erwin, Carmen Velasco, and Robin Norris working in conjunction with Leesburg Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Erwin helped to continue the tradition in 2013 with the help of several members of the community and St. James' Episcopal Church in Leesburg. We hope that the tradition will continue each year so that pet lovers will have a safe place to come together in celebration of the pet angels that have shared their lives. We hope to make this service an act of love for our community and a tribute to our wonderful companion animals.


Mark your calendar for the next ceremony!
Date: March 28, 2019
Time: Doors open at 6:30pm and the Ceremony starts at 7pm
Location: St. James Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall Street NW, Leesburg
E-mail all inquiries to: candle@wholisticpawsvet.com


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View content from past Pet Remembrance Candle Lighting Ceremonies