Performing Labor to Save the Life of an Animal on Shabbat
Question
We have a large livestock farm, and sometimes the animals are in life-threatening situations and require various actions to save their lives. I know that preserving human life supersedes the observance of Shabbat, but I wanted to know what are the rules in the case of an animal?
Answer
Greetings,
It is forbidden for a Jew to perform any work on Shabbat for the sake of an animal, even if this prohibition is only of rabbinic origin. Even if refraining from action would result in the death of the animal, it is still prohibited. However, if the animal is sick, it is permissible to provide care for it through the assistance of a non-Jew.
Source
Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim, chapter 332, §3)
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