What do you do if you run over a cat?

[Maritime Q-Scout]

So this afternoon a cat ran out in front of my car. I couldn't avoid him.

I stopped the car in the middle of the street and went out to check on him. It wasn't good.

The owner came out of his house and I told him what happened and asked what vet he took him to as I'd take the cat there.

The owner asked if the cat was dead. He wasn't but as I petting him to try and comfort him as the owner came over his tounge stuck out and curled up.

I had just learned that is what cats do when they pass as last Wednesday we put down our little girl who was suffering from liver failure (I'm still messed up over it).

Anyway, I feel horrible.

I know the accident wasn't my fault and I know there's nothing I can do. Yet, I feel like I should do something to show my condolences.

I have no idea what I can do, or should do.

Any suggestions?

[Canehdianman]

I don't think you should do anything. It's not your fault.

[snootchiebootchies]

Donate money to the Meow Foundation in the owner's name?

https://www.meowfoundation.com/donate/

[Weitz]

I wouldn’t do anything. Not your fault the cat was outside when it shouldn’t be (assuming in Calgary). It’s a sad situation but it was an accident.

[White Out 403]

Seems like you did everything you could and should have done. I'd leave it at that.

[Barnet Flame]

You did what you could. I hope you get over it soon.

[FlamesAddiction]

Cats are considered invasive species and shouldn't be left to roam outside. I would feel bad too, but the owner of the pet is responsible in this situation.

[Winsor_Pilates]

You could write a condolences card to them just to show you care.

Having said that, I can see some people taking that as an admission of guilt and trying to claim you at fault. Maybe my faith in humans is lacking, but I'd be concerned of it escalating by staying too involved with the owners.

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

So this afternoon a cat ran out in front of my car. I couldn't avoid him.

I stopped the car in the middle of the street and went out to check on him. It wasn't good.

The owner came out of his house and I told him what happened and asked what vet he took him to as I'd take the cat there.

The owner asked if the cat was dead. He wasn't but as I petting him to try and comfort him as the owner came over his tounge stuck out and curled up.

I had just learned that is what cats do when they pass as last Wednesday we put down our little girl who was suffering from liver failure (I'm still messed up over it).

Anyway, I feel horrible.

I know the accident wasn't my fault and I know there's nothing I can do. Yet, I feel like I should do something to show my condolences.

I have no idea what I can do, or should do.

Any suggestions?

Do whatever your conscience says you should do, nothing more, nothing less. The animal shouldn't have been left to run at it's own discretion, but that doesn't mean the family isn't hurting.

[4X4]

I don't know why you'd offer to take it to the vet. That could get really expensive, and it's not your fault at all. I understand why you feel bad, but that's about all you should be doing - feeling bad.

[Amethyst]

I saw a cat get hit by a car once, while I was walking my dogs. It did not survive and it was not a pleasant thing to witness. For practical matters, if the animal doesn't make it, you can call 311 (not in this case, where the owner came along). In my case, the driver didn't stop and a lady who lived nearby and myself called 311.

In this case, if you want to do something, I would suggest donating to an animal rescue. You could always donate it in memory of "Fluffy" if you know the cat's name, but even without that, it's still a nice gesture and will help other cats.

[Kybosh]

We're all nothing on the cosmic scale. I mean...it's a cat.

[Regulator75]

Came expecting Chinese food joke, didn't see one.

Everything went better than expected.

[Peanut]

Sorry you had this experience. I hit a cat once myself and was devastated. In my case the cat run off or maybe bounced off, but it was still pretty terrible.

I think you did all you could. If it would make you feel better a donation to something animal related (meow foundation, the Humane Society, etc) is a nice gesture as someone mentioned above, but it’s definitey not required or expected I don’t think. Beyond that, unfortunately there isn’t a lot you can do.

[afc wimbledon]

Nothing you can do, make a donation if you wish, I ran over an otter several years ago, guilty as heck about that although on a busy busy highway doing 70 had I done anything but maintain my speed and lane I would have probably killed other drivers.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

You could write a condolences card to them just to show you care.

Having said that, I can see some people taking that as an admission of guilt and trying to claim you at fault. Maybe my faith in humans is lacking, but I'd be concerned if it escalating by staying too involved with the owners.

This. Why even set yourself up for potential legal trouble with the cat's owner?

Making a donation to the Meow Foundation or the SPCA on your own accord is nice though. You can't do anything for that poor cat, but perhaps your donation can help save another.

[dissentowner]

Sorry to hear, I have been lucky with not hitting any four legged animals so far but I have had a couple birds fly off my windshield before and even that made me feel terrible. Sounds like you did all you could.

[meritmat]

DONT stop in the middle of the damn street, don’t cause a accident over a god damn cat. There was a lady in Ontario that stopped to let a goose/duck cross with her little ones. Somebody ran into the back of her killing himself. I can’t remember if she got charged or not. If that happens pull off the road to a safe stop and see if there’s anything you can do.


http://fox8.com/2014/06/21/woman-fac...ks-on-highway/

Think I’m up to 3 cats, 4ish deer and one dog. The dog one bothered me

[WhiteTiger]

Originally Posted by meritmat

DONT stop in the middle of the damn street, don’t cause a accident over a god damn cat. There was a lady in Ontario that stopped to let a goose/duck cross with her little ones. Somebody ran into the back of her killing himself. I can’t remember if she got charged or not. If that happens pull off the road to a safe stop and see if there’s anything you can do.


http://fox8.com/2014/06/21/woman-fac...ks-on-highway/

Think I’m up to 3 cats, 4ish deer and one dog. The dog one bothered me

Can't see why she would be charged or not. It's a shame he died, to be sure, but if he hit her with that much force, he was clearly following too closely and not able to stop in time/react to road conditions. Though I agree that she shouldn't have stopped for the ducks.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by WhiteTiger

Can't see why she would be charged or not. It's a shame he died, to be sure, but if he hit her with that much force, he was clearly following too closely and not able to stop in time/react to road conditions. Though I agree that she shouldn't have stopped for the ducks.

She was charged and found guilty. Negligence causing death.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/quebec...peal-1.3450013