SAN ANTONIO – Father Jim Hynes does what many consider doing, but rarely do. When it comes to homeless animals roaming the streets, especially dogs, the West Side Catholic priest helps them out.
"I find it hard to pass them on the street, so I pick them up,” Hynes said.
The priest of Our Lady of Angels for over a decade said he finds many of the animals injured or starving while driving around his humble West Side parish.
"I consider it part of my ministry. These are living beings and they suffer,” Hynes said. "Pope Francis has spoken about it.”
A portrait of the pope hung in the rectory as Hynes spoke.
Referring to one of the pope's encyclicals, Hynes said, "He specifically mentions animals."
While clasping his hands for emphasis, the Irish-born priest said, "We're all connected, humans and the rest of God's creation."
Hynes said Pope Francis is named for a patron saint who loved nature and its creatures.
"Francis of Assisi called the animals sisters and brothers," Hynes said.
A statue of St. Francis of Assisi stands in front of his church in the 1200 block of Stonewall. Many in San Antonio's animal rescue communities said Hynes is known as the priest who is saving souls and saving dogs.
Hynes said his mission is "to alleviate human suffering and nonhuman suffering."
Animal advocates said he's rescued at least 300 of homeless dogs. The cost of their care came out mostly out of his own pocket.
"I've put a number of my veterinarian's children through college,” Hynes said.
Hynes said he’s grateful for the vet's understanding and for the help and support of local groups, such as God's Dogs. He said not only does the organization find foster homes for the animals, they know of families across the country who are eager to adopt them.
Hynes said there have been happy endings from Cape Cod to Seattle. Among them was “Lady,” who he found near a local convenience store. He said soon after taking her in, she had nine puppies.
Hynes found homes for all the puppies and Lady is living in New England "chasing snowflakes," he said.
Hynes said he recalls an article in which an out-of-state family said, "San Antonio, we love your dogs, but wish you would love them also."
He said those he's saved are a mere fraction of San Antonio's abused and abandoned dogs.
"What kind of message does that send our children?” Hynes said. “We have a responsibility to protect and defend these creatures.”
Hynes said he urges the public to report suspected abuse or neglect.
"People who abuse animals are usually the same people who abuse human beings," he said.
The priest also said pet owners should take advantage of low-cost spay and neuter programs and also encourages adopting from local shelters that are filled with animals like the ones he's rescued.