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Ownerless Animals
#1
In part 5 chapter 7 topic 5 (page 347) of The Divine Code second edition it states if an animal, even an owner-less animal, is starving it is desirable to provide food for it. It also states it's an act of cruelty for one to refrain from feeding animals, fowl, fish, et cetera that rely on one for their sustenance.

If one was feeding stray cats daily due to them relying on one for their sustenance, if after sometime one's landlord warned one not to feed the animals and stated they themselves (the landlord) could be fined by the health department, would it be perfectly fine for one to refrain from feeding the owner-less animals (in this case, the stray cats)?

Would it be perfectly fine to refrain from feeding the animals (and thus it wouldn't be considered cruel) if one was only warned by their landlord but no mention of the health department or anything of that sort was brought up?

Another question I have is, if owner-less animals (whether stray cats or dogs, et cetera) rely on one for their sustenance, would it be pious or unnecessary for a Gentile to go out of his way to feed them if he can barely afford to buy the animals food (due to other expenses the Gentile has)?
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#2
(10-30-2014, 05:10 PM)Johnny Wrote: It also states it's an act of cruelty for one to refrain from feeding animals, fowl, fish, et cetera that rely on one for their sustenance.

That is talking about confined pets / house pets, which really do rely on the owner to sustain them. A prime example would be fish in an aquarium. Dogs and cats that are raised as house pets and not given the opportunity to learn to hunt down prey for their own food are certainly included.

(10-30-2014, 05:10 PM)Johnny Wrote: If one was feeding stray cats daily due to them relying on one for their sustenance, if after sometime one's landlord warned one not to feed the animals and stated they themselves (the landlord) could be fined by the health department, would it be perfectly fine for one to refrain from feeding the owner-less animals (in this case, the stray cats)?

It would be interesting to research whether or not the landlord was telling the truth about the claimed governmental fines, and what situations would actually be subject to the fines. But since it is the landlord's property, he/she has the right to tell you to refrain from that, and you should comply.

Especially with stray cats, they are not so helpless as you seem to think. When their easy food supply stops, they will instinctively hunt down birds, mice or rats, and they are also good at foraging through garbage. For example, in Israel, there is a huge population of feral cats that live wild just like squirrels here in the U.S.

(10-30-2014, 05:10 PM)Johnny Wrote: Would it be perfectly fine to refrain from feeding the animals (and thus it wouldn't be considered cruel) if one was only warned by their landlord but no mention of the health department or anything of that sort was brought up?

Again, it is the landlord's property, and subject to his/her say-so regarding things that are done outside of your apartment, and regarding some things inside your apartment. If it's an important issue for you, you should look over the terms of the lease that you signed, and if you think that feeding the stray cats is within your renter's rights, you could consult an attorney just to make sure.

(10-30-2014, 05:10 PM)Johnny Wrote: Another question I have is, if owner-less animals (whether stray cats or dogs, et cetera) rely on one for their sustenance, would it be pious or unnecessary for a Gentile to go out of his way to feed them if he can barely afford to buy the animals food (due to other expenses the Gentile has)?

Since feral dogs and cats can contract rabies and spread disease-ridden parasites, you should consider getting them picked up and taken to an animal shelter - most preferably one that does not castrate or spay their animals.
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