[VardyCodarexyz]

That's true fojiao2, which brings it down to personal discernment. We can choose to look at it in a conventional sense, in an ultimate sense, or in a way that covers both. That makes it rather ambiguous though. I think that the precepts are meant to cover them both, and so the spirit of not taking what is not given might apply equally to a pet or other "owned animal" as it would to a lost wallet. Whether living or un-living, it is all empty, and so we have to make a personal call in such a situation as this one.

If we know the mink belongs to someone else and we keep it or give it away, surely its owner would look upon us as a thief were it known, and may seek reprisal. It could be a cow or a dog, and we have no certainty as to any of their fates, but if we live in a society that agrees there is ownership of such animals, well, we have this quandary.

I would not wish to be in those circumstances, as regrettably I still conclude that the right thing to do would be to return the animal, and compassion does make this a little painful. I can't even kill a ladybug, just so you understand how I view other forms of life personally... however we do all die sometime, must accept this for ourselves, and so must weigh the certainty of death in with the possibility of harm coming from a human owner as well. There are many factors, and so many different ways of judging this situation.

Ultimately, leonardcrowin, you must do what you think is best. Not what I think is best, not what fojiao2 thinks is best, but what you feel in your heart and mind is true to yourself. I wish you luck!