Here’s another ethical issue and Jewish source response:

Case

Jessica has always wanted a cat.  Her parents have always said no. Both sides had very good reasons.  One day Jessica found a cat on the street. It had a collar – a kind-of-new flea collar- but no tags.  She brought it home and fed it. It decided to stay. Her parents said, “You may keep it only until we find the owner.”  Jessica put up signs everywhere. She took out an ad in the local newspaper. She asked everyone. No one knew anything about this cat.  A month went by. Her parents said, “Time is up. We’ve kept the cat you call Mindy as long as we can. Now we have to give her away.” Jessica said, “We promised to keep her until her owner was found.”  Her parents said, “We are never going to find the owner. Time is up.” 

Answer

This case is answered by a single Mishnah.  The Mishnah, Bava Metzia 2:7, says: If someone finds an animal that cannot work or pay for its food, that animal can be sold and the money given to the original owner if he or she is later found. 

The idea of the Mishnah is that one need not lose a significant amount of money (more than the value of the object) to return something.  From the standpoint of the issues of lost and found, Mindy can be sold or given away.

Joel Grishaver, “You Be the Judge”, pgs. 110-111

Used with permission from Joel Grishaver