We develop some very close bonds with the animals in our lives. Our pets can help us combat lonliness, force us to remain active, and provide us with examples of unconditional love. They can also serve to help us deal with dying. All of this is fine, but problems arise when we value the life of an animal the same as a that of a human.

As Catholics, we must value and work to protect all human life, from natural conception to natural death. Anything that threatens human life, especially atrocities such as abortion and euthanasia, must be eradicated. But animals are not humans. Pets – no matter how much we love them – are not made in the image and likeness of God. The Lord has given us dominion over the animals of the earth, and we must treat them with mercy – the same mercy that Christ shows us. For this reason, when an animal is suffering, we can show it mercy by removing its pain through euthanasia when no other alternatives exist.

Other humans – family members – are not within our dominion. We all belong to God, and He will call each of us to Him when He is ready. We should be very grateful for the times that we get to share with our pets, and we should welcome the emotional bonds that are formed between animal and man. But we should never forget that we humans are much more than just sophisticated animals. We have souls – souls which must not be compromised by a lack of respect for human life.