"Hear our humble prayer, O God,
for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for all that are overworked and underfed and cruelly treated;
for all saddened creatures in captivity that beat against their bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that are in pain or dying;
for all that must be put to death.
We entreat for them all thy mercy and pity,
and we ask for those who deal with them
a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.
And make us ourselves to be true friends to animals
and so to share the blessing of all those who are merciful.
- A Russian prayer.