OMG I Just Ran Over A Cat!

[lisajl]

I am so sorry someone chose to let their cat outside.
I have three...they are inside. We also have an inside dog.
I don't let any of them outside to roam. I work for a vet. You know what? Yes, they can get hit by a car, they can also get attacked by another animal, get diseases from other animals.

Then, when things like that happen, people complain about how much money they have to spend on said animal. If you are not going to be responsible for the pet...for the REST OF THEIR LIFE, do not get one.

Do not beat yourself up over this one. Yes, I know you are upset, been there, done that. You can only do so much. It is the owners responsibility to take care of that animal.

Lisajl

BTW...Friday after Thanksgiving, my DD and I were at a local store when we saw a cute Choc. Lab come running at us. He was very sweet and only had a neckerchief(?) on. No tags, no collar. I was on my way to take my DD to work, tried to get help from the police, they could not help because the "dog" policeman was not on duty. So, I called the local pound, they could take him, but could not come get him. My DH came in his pickup, picked up the dog and off he went. Hopefully, the dog's parents found him. Otherwise I know he must have gone to our local Humane Society, they work together on animals that can be adopted.

 

[Stephanie218]

While reading this post, i was extremely confused. why are people who love their animals and care for them (EVEN WHEN THEY ARE OUTSIDE) getting named as "animal killers"? There are certain circumstances under which cats are not able to be contained in a house, e.g. having numerous dogs over 100 lbs. that do not get along with cats, someone being allergic to cats and his or her spouse still wanting one.
People who make the choice to leave their animals outside should not be blamed. I have six cats living outside right now, and 4 dogs inside. The cats are fed twice a day, have beds, and are taken to the vet regularly. They are not just "left to be roadkill and smooshed" as some people have offered their opinions of outdoor cats. Some cats are also happier living outside.
It is not fair to blame those who take responsibility for their pets, and have the misfortune of having them killed. Someone who has a cat that lives inside can ultimately be putting it in a worse position, because if it happens to get out, it will not be accustomed to living outside. Especially if it is declawed, that is giving it less of a chance to survive, since it would not be able to defend itself.

 

[MHopkins2]

Claws are an excellent defense against a pick-up truck.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Adding a pet to your family is a life long commitment. If there are reasons why you can't have a cat, you should just accept that rather than putting them in harms way to satisfy YOUR needs. I am sorry if I offend you but that is how I truly feel.

My cat satisfies his "need" for the great outdoors by going out on our screened in patio or playing with me in our fenced in back yard. Then back inside he goes.

 

[jrmasm]

People who make the choice to leave their animals outside should not be blamed.

Why not?? If the dog/cat was in the house to begin with, they wouldn't get hit by a car. Well except in the case of a car coming thru the front of the house. In that case, you're right, it's wasn't the owners fault!

 

[airhead]

I can see where that could be a problem. Maybe you have too many animals to care for.

 

[Laura]

Originally posted by airhead
I can tell you feel really bad. The fault lies with the owners who let their cat wander. I'm so sick of people who think that animals, particularly cats,should run loose. Now,I'm not talking about the dog or cat that gets loose by accident. I'm talking about irresponsible owners who just open the door and let their pet out! WHAT ARE THEY THINKING!!!!! I live in an area that was once rural but is quickly becoming developed with homes. About a week ago,my dogs were being taunted by a Beagle running back and forth on the outside of my fenced yard. I caught the dog(cutest little thing!) and called the number on his collar. The woman who answered said,the dog was a hunting dog and needed to be loose because otherwise,he would destroy her house!! I told her we had a leash law in our town and if I caught her dog on my property again teasing my fenced Dobies I would
turn her dog over to the pound. She replied that I should just "shoo" her dog home! What a jerk!!!!!!! So,I'm waiting for her dog to come back,I know he will. And when he does,he'll go to the pound and wait until his owner pays the $25 to get him out. 3 times and the fine goes up to $50. Unfortunately,this little dog has a very good chance of being runover by some poor motorist who will then feel so guilty about killing him.

airhead

I totally agree with you there. I hope the little beagle you mentioned will be okay.

Of course, pets do get out by accident, but very often people think it's okay for them to let cats roam free. No matter where you live, you should keep kitty indoors. It's the safest thing.

People like poor Disfan1 hit them and feel so horrible! But Disfan1, my parents used to let our cats out when we lived in a rural area (years later, we stopped letting our cats outside) and one kitty got hit by a car and came home. He had a broken leg, but he turned out okay. So perhaps the kitty managed to get home and get help.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

We have two 90+ pound labs who are either in the house, in their fenced in yard, or walking with one of us on a leash.

If people let their animals run free, then they must accept the fact that they may be killed by cars, predators, etc. I don't expect every car that goes by my house to check to see if my dogs are crossing the street at that time. It's my responsibility to keep them confined. If I choose not to, then I must be ready to accept the consequences. (Which I am not!)

We walk our labs twice a day and each and every time have to deal with 2 or 3 dogs running loose that charge us from behind a house or follow us for blocks. Most cats and small dogs won't challenge our 200 lbs. of fur, but there are some stupid animals out there! We carry maglite flashlights and if things get out of hand... if the free running animal is going to do harm to us or our dogs.... they are history.

I would have a tough time killing any animal, but if I had to choose between a stray and my dogs.... I could do it.