Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
---|---|---|
A very different question regarding our pets | Janet Marie | Friday, April 4, 2008 |
Question: I was watching a commerical for adopting pets one day and thought about how many unwanted animals there are. Then I started thinking about the spaying and neutering of pets to keep pet population controlled. I wonder, as this is interfering with God's creation of animal life, could this possibly be sinful too? Cloning is sinful, why not preventing their conception? Does the church have any stance on this? If it is considered wrong, you can imagine how many animals would be put down then due to out of control pet population..also killing! For that matter we can also get into euthanisia of animals. Of course human life made in God's image is more valued and precious but---in that He also created animals---I wonder if it offends Him that we destroy His other creations. I anxiously await your answer. |
||
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM
Dear JanetMarie: The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
Animals are not to be treated at the same level of dignity as human beings or are to be given priority above humans (who are made in the image of God). We are to respect and to care for animals, treat them humanely, and not subject them to unnecessary pain and suffering. Neutering animals, animal contraception, and euthanizing them when necessary is in the best interest of the animal. Neutering not only controls the population (which is a good thing as it lowers the number of stray animals who suffer and starve) but helps the animal to be healthier and happier as a pet. Euthanizing an animal when it is ill beyond hope, or beyond financial means to perform a procedure, prevents an animal from needless suffering. It would be a sin for a person to spend thousands of dollars on surgery for a pet when that money needs to go to pay the rent or put food on the table. Bottomline: it is not a sin to neuter a pet, or when needed, to euthanize a pet. In fact, one may have a moral obligation to do so. Cloning of human beings is a sin. Cloning of animals is not. As is stated in the Catechism quote above, "Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives." God Bless, Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum
|