Help! I accidentally ran over a stray cat?

Question

and killed it! I had no idea it was hiding under my car, and when I backed out of my driveway I hit it. The poor little thing never made a noise but twitched something awful for about 30 seconds, and I can't get the picture out of my head. I can't stop crying. What can I do?

Thanks for all the words of comfort so far. The kitten was a stray and we already have too many pets, so we couldn't keep it too, but we let it stay around because a friend of ours said he might take it. I wish he had come and gotten it sooner.

The weather is so hot here, we felt we should bury the kitten right away, and I never thought to check for a microchip!!! And my daughter volunteers at the shelter and it still didn't occur to either of us to do that. Why didn't I think of that the first day we found it? Darn!

Answer 1

You poor thing. I am so sorry this happened to you. It sounds like the little kitty did not suffer. The fact that the cat did not move when you started up the car tells me that the cat may have already been sick, injured or dying. Animals often ingest anti-freeze and get sick and die. You may have put it out of it's misery. I am a great animal lover and even I know that we are not going to be able to check under our cars every time we get in to make sure no one is under there. It just wasn't your fault. I nicked a raccoon once who ran out in front of me and last year almost ran into a squirrel. I know both times I was upset for quite awhile. Again, it sounds like it went very quickly. Please don't blame yourself. Release the little kitty to heaven and ask for some kind of message from the Universe to help you understand. Take care, Roc

Answer 2

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I have 2 cats and I know it would break my heart too.

If you haven't yet buried the cat, check to see if it has any ID or a collar on it. Or it may possibly have a microchip which would be under the skin between its shoulder blades. A vet will be able to check with a scanner to see if the cat is registered and belongs to anyone.

But if you have already buried it, then I think you have done your best. Please remember it was an accident and try not to think about it too much. Maybe talk to someone if it would help.

You sound like a good person, take care.

Answer 3

I know this is a tough situation to deal with. I'm a cat lover myself, and I hate to see one hurt. But this was an accident, you didn't do it deliberately, and I know that doesn't make you feel any better. Was this a friend's cat? Was it yours? Or just a stray? Why not take a trip to the Humane Society, and see if you can't find a lovable little kitten to adopt. Maybe that will take away the pain you're feeling now. It's worth a try anyway. Good luck, dear. I'm a softie about animals too.....

Answer 4

You sound like someone with a very good, big heart. And, I know how you feel. Just know that what happened was a total accident, and give yourself some comfort knowing that the cat didn't suffer for long.
I am going through something similar: about 5 months ago, the RV I lived in caught fire, and my two cats and dog were killed, There was nothing I could do to get them out in time, even though I sustained severe burns trying. I still have awful flashbacks every night, and it still hurts like hell. But, it will fade over time. That's just what it takes: time. And, if you feel like crying, by all means do so. It's important to give expression to those emotions.
Bless you, sweetie.

Answer 5

Like everyone else have mention, it isn't your fault, and it really isn't. If you knew it was there, you wouldn't have killed it, but you didn't know so it was unavoidable.

I think the hardest thing for you is watching it twitch as it dies. It is something horrible to watch, and we cant just take it our of our mind at will. It will eventually goes away, you just have to try not to think about it anymore. It wasn't your fault, theres nothing you can do about it and whatever happend was meant to be, so there's nothing to worry about it anymore. Try to put this incident behind you and don't think about it. It'll eventually fades away from your memory.

Take care

Answer 6

I did this to a rabbit once. It was there and I didn't see it. I felt horrible. I worked at an animal shelter at the time. I had to go to work and feel that pain. So yes I know how ya feel. It'll take awhile but really it was an accident, you know you didn't maliciously hit it. Let that comfort you.

Answer 7

It's not your fault. You had no way of knowing that the cat was underneath the car. It sure helps to talk to someone about it, though. I grew up with cats. The same incident happened to me and my mom twice. So I know what you are going through. I am truly sorry that this has happened to you.

Answer 8

It wasn't your fault, and that is a tramatic thing to have gone through and seen. I am soo sorry you had to go through that. Pray to God to take the image out of your head. Remember that it wasn't your fault and try to relax. I like the answer of making a donation to the Humane Society and maybe talking to family and friends to try and get your mind off of it.

It will just take some time to get over. Again I am sorry!

Answer 9

i think of in case you tell your sister precisely what occurred she'll understand. working over any animal is an quite unhappy adventure and particularly depresses maximum so possibly you will possibly sense extra advantageous telling your sister and in line with threat having a sprint funeral for the kitten on your returned backyard. wish this helped.

Answer 10

Two quick thoughts.
The cat accidentally ran into your car.
The cat was, old and sick, and was in the process of dieing, and was suffering.
It was an accident in any case, their is no blame to be taken.