Hundreds of Buddhists brought their pet dogs, cats, rabbits and even crustaceans to a temple in Singapore on Saturday to receive blessings from monks and nuns. "After my animals are blessed, they are more sensitive and they are more aware and there's more bonding," said one pet owner. The crowd included a group of bunnies in strollers, a bird nestled in a man's collar, a turtle in a plastic bucket, and even a crayfish who was cradled delicately in its owner's palm as it was blessed. Nearly 1,000 animals were blessed during the event at Thekchen Choling temple, which was held as part of Vesak celebrations, organisers said. Vesak is an important Buddhist festival which celebrates Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. Pet owners waited in a long queue for their turn to receive blessings from a monk or a nun, who recited prayers as they placed a relic on the animal's head. The event was free but visitors were encouraged to make donations to the temple. Buddhism is the largest religion in ethnically diverse Singapore, with over 31 percent of the population identifying as Buddhist in 2020. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES