Do animals have the same moral stature as humans?

[pete311]

Isn't it immoral to use financial resources to extend the life of a cat when the same money can be give to Food For The Poor and build homes for or feed poor folk in other countries?

Perhaps, but that isn't a realistic expectation. You could go so far as to say, why are you conversing on this forum when you could be at a soup kitchen? It is an impossible standard.