Saint Francis of Assisi is the saint most closely associated with the love of animals. We know a lot about this medieval saint because of the stories that were written by his close associates.It has been written that Saint Francis was so overflowing with charity that he loved not only his fellow men, but all his fellow creatures – birds, beasts, fishes and even creeping things, because he perceived each one as the handiwork of his Father…all of God’s creations.