Question 1422) - A man picked up a lost animal. Who is liable for the expenses he incurred to maintain the animal?

A: If he spends on it without the permission of the court, then he has given freely from his side. Nobody is indebted to him. If he did it with the court's permission then that is a debt against the owner.*

* It is also said that he should announce until he is satisfied that the owner will not be claiming it. It is appropriate that he announce it at the place he found it and at the Jami' Masjid. If it is something one knows that the owner will not look for, such as date pits, one need not announce it and may use it. However, ownership remains with the owner.

~ al-Quduri ~