The Bible teaches that humans have a responsibility to care for the creatures of the earth. In Genesis, God gives humanity dominion over the animals, and in Proverbs, it is written that a righteous person regards the life of their animal. The book of Proverbs also advises being knowledgeable about the condition of flocks and herds, demonstrating the importance of responsible animal care. Additionally, Jesus teaches in Matthew that God provides for the birds of the air, and James notes that even the smallest creatures can be tamed, emphasizing the connection between humanity and the natural world.
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A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.
Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,
And God said, “Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.” So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed according to their kinds, and every bird of flight after its kind. And God saw that it was good.
Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
And you are to bring two of every living creature into the ark—male and female—to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird and animal and crawling creature will come to you to be kept alive.
Blessed are those who sow beside abundant waters, who let the ox and donkey range freely.
If you come across a bird’s nest with chicks or eggs, either in a tree or on the ground along the road, and the mother is sitting on the chicks or eggs, you must not take the mother along with the young. You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.
but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. Now a traveler came to the rich man, who refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest.”