James Garrard

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Garfield visited the store in Ely almost daily since it opened in 2012

A cathedral service has heard tributes paid to a cat that achieved Social Media fame by hanging out at his local supermarket.

Garfield died in the Car Park of his beloved Sainsbury's store in Ely, Cambridgeshire, In July .

He was remembered at The City 's cathedral, which each year holds a service in celebration of animals.

Dogs, cats, a donkey, ferrets, guinea pigs and even birds were in The Cathedral .

Garfield was well-known at the supermarket where he spent most days lolling on a sofa in the lobby and being petted by customers.

In The Past all sorts of well-behaved animals have Come Along to the services Around 450 pet owners and animal lovers attended the service

He amassed a fan-base of More Than 7,000 people from across the globe, who followed his adventures on Facebook.

However, he was hit by a car in the store's Car Park and died In July , aged 12.

Around 450 pet owners and animal lovers attended the service.

Canon James Garrard and Canon Jessica Martin , joined by her rescue dog Gonzo, celebrated the lives of animals in the community and blessed them.

Author Cate Caruth, who wrote a book about Garfield , told The Congregation : "He was a pet for all those who could have no pet of their own. "

Ms Caruth said "the whole of Ely mourned" when he died.

Garfield had become something of a celebrity in Sainsbury's, Ely

"Garfield touched thousands of lives around The World ," She Said .

She Said the eulogy was not just for Garfield , but for anyone who had lost a pet.

"In remembering Garfield , we remember all those pets," She Said .

"As the fictional Garfy might say, 'I'm not really gone. I'm just off on another adventure'. "

After Garfield 's death, his owners Set Up a charity page which so far has raised almost £2,000 for The Local branch of Cats Protection .

Canon Jessica Martin , here with her rescue dog Gonzo, led the service The Cathedral has been holding services for animals for 30 years

animals, sainsbury' s,cats, ely, social media, religion

Source of news: bbc.com