Advice on Deceased Pets

DeLarla · 08-09-2005, 05:59 PM

I hope this doesn't bother anyone, but I need advice. A co-worker witnessed a kitty getting hit by work this morning, so she told me. That alone sickened me because why didn't SHE care about Kitty?

You guys know that I faint at blood, but I ran to the corner and somehow managed to check if Kitty was breathing. He wasn't. I wrapped him up in my jacket and carried him to my car, and then called Animal Control.

I feel awful. Someone will call their pet to dinner tonight. I hope it wasn't a little girl, and I certainly hope the parents will call Animal Control after a day or two of Kitty being gone. They deserve closure.

Animal Control removed Kitty, who won't be home for dinner. I'm super busy with both jobs, plus I'm babysitting 2 teens all week. Is it my responsiblity to put a few flyers up in the neighborhood, and if so, how could I word something so awful?

vinesqueen · 08-09-2005, 06:21 PM

Very sad. I've never thought of the wording for a strange animal obit.

I'm useless

burnsun · 08-09-2005, 08:13 PM

I would just watch to see if they (the owner) puts up flyers! If they don't care enough to put them up - then they don't want to know. I am happy your animal control came- our would say leave it for the cleaners or put it in the garbage!

Wiffle · 08-09-2005, 11:40 PM

That is so very sad. You have a very good and kind heart. I too hope that some small child isn't heartbroken over this.

Perhaps you could check with animal control. If the family missing their cat calls to see if animal control has him, perhaps they will tell them that a cat matching the description was run down?

MollyMolly · 08-10-2005, 12:08 AM

Well whenever we've had cats missing we check with animal control daily for awhile, as well as petfinder and posting ads. It may be the case that the kitty that got hit had a microchip or a collar -- I know we have our cats chipped. Animal control will call the family after picking up a pet if they have the chip or some other identifying info. We found this out the hard way when we lost a cat -- they called to say they had her but neglected to mention she was dead. :( I went running down there to get her, so happy that she had been found. It was horrible.

For those of you who have pets -- PLEASE get them chipped -- even if they wear a collar with identifying info, it might get lost or pulled off somehow if they ran away or got out.

I almost hit a pair of poodles last week running pell-mell down the middle of a busy road. I managed to catch one of them (the other tried to take my hand off) and took it into the local vet clinic since animal control wasn't open. They scanned for a chip but the poodle didn't have one. :( I don't know if they found her family -- they kept her since it looked like she needed some attention and food, she was looking a little ragged.

GrizGirl · 08-10-2005, 11:30 AM

My heart always hurts when I hear of or see injured/hurt/dead animals. I tear up at the sight of a dead possum on the side of the road.

DeLarla · 08-10-2005, 01:36 PM

I'm glad you guys understand. I gave it some thought, and there's nothing more I can do. If the parents care, they will contact local shelters, who should lead them to Animal Control. Animal Control has a log with the description of the kitty. I just hope they have the dignity to announce the cat's death before telling someone to come pick up their pet. Molly-Mo, I can't believe they did that to you. They are so heartless.

Yesterday the remains of Kitty sat around till after lunch time. I called Animal Control a second time to ask when they'd be here, and the snotty woman with the rotten attitude told me a dead cat isn't a priority. That's like saying someone's deceased child isn't a priority in my book. Especially with freaks and psychos walking the streets that might find someone's dead pet entertaining.

Zoe · 08-10-2005, 05:47 PM

DeLarla, you did the right thing. And I think you're right: there's nothing more you can do. With luck, the parents will care enough to check animal control, and they'll get to speak to someone more thoughtful than the shelter worker who called Molly.

Get your pets microchipped, everyone. Kinda wish we could do the same for kids.

Marimaru · 08-10-2005, 05:58 PM

DeLarla, I agree there's nothing more you could do, and hopefully what you did will give the owner some closer if they are looking for the kitty. When I was a kid we had cats that were inside/outside, and it wasn't unheard of for one to go missing and not come back, but sometimes you just wish you knew what happened (and I'd never have an outside can in that type of place anyway now that I'm old enough to have a say).

Zoe, I think kid-chipping isn't too far off. "They" just have to get past the whole 'privacy' thing that people shout about.

Mita · 08-10-2005, 06:34 PM

Lisa that was an very sweet of you to do that for the poor kitty. Needless to say your co-worker is heartless.. How could she run it over and not have taken the time to pick it up herself:(
Anyway I would to check if anyone puts up flyers or in the lost ad's..