I Think I Hit a Cat, What Should I Do?

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This may not be the "best" advice, but I would not go back. I know it is awful and you want to make ammends, if in fact you did hit the cat, but people can be completely irrational when it comes to their pets. If you did hit the cat she may try to sue you for vet bills or to pay for a new cat. Seriously. I've known people personally who did this sort of thing.

If you do go back, I would not go alone. Take a friend or have your husband in the car. You don't know this person. You never know how they could react. There are some crazy people out there!

If you hit the cat - go back to WHERE you THOUGHT you hit it...and check around...

Personally? I know this sounds cold and uncaring - but if pet owners can't keep their cats in their yard or in their home - it's not your responsibility...

I think it's great that you want to apologize for hitting the cat, if you did - but in my opinion, you bear no legal responsibility to notify anyone that you did....you aren't expected to do compensation or anything.....

If you checked your car and didn't see any blood - most likely - you did not hit the cat...

Again, I'm not trying to sound mean or uncaring....

I admit again - i do like that you want to take responsibility for the cat if indeed you did hit it.

I think that's a good plan. I hit a dog when I had three kids, all little, and the baby was screaming and crying, so I was trying to hurry and get my errand done and get home. I was not speeding. I actually saw the little dog, and I slowed almost to a stop and even missed it until it turned just at the last second and went right in front me and got hit by my tire. It was crazy. He ran off yelping and yelping. There was no way to know who he belonged to (was not close to any house and no people were out), and the dog ran off. It would have been pointless for me to stop. Just sharing to say I totally understand.

(edited my answer from here down)

Actually, upon reading other's suggestions, I agree with them. I wouldn't go back. I think that they might try to have you pay the vet bills is a really valid point. The error was not on YOU. You were driving on the road. Sadly it is the owner who should have kept her cat under her supervision. Of course, that's easier said than done, but the responsibility lies on her. It wouldn't be right for you to pay for anything. Of course you feel bad! But it was her responsibility. According to my ex-SIL, who is from Germany, if a child gets hit in the street, it's the parent's fault. I thought that was interesting. They believe it's the parents responsibility to keep their children out of the street and safe from cars. It's not the driver's fault, who is driving on the road where the car should be. Same applies for the cat in my opinion!

I think its thoughtful. As a pet owner I would be devistated if my dogs got hit by a car, but I would appericate someone who had the guts to come to my home and be honest about what happened.
Pets dont know any better and when they get hit by a car it is allmost always unavoidable & an accident. Dont beat yourself up about it, I wouldnt have stopped with my kids in the car either.

What you're supposed to do when you hit a cat or any other animal depends on the laws in your state. For instance, this is the law in New York:

New York
Current law requires a driver whose car hits a dog, cat, horse or cattle, to stop, attempt to locate the animal’s owner or law enforcement in the area, and take other reasonable steps to ensure that the animal receives necessary attention.

So if you think that you hit the cat I would go back to where you think you hit it, although if it's injured and still alive it would do its best to hide its injuries but go to the closest place of comfort especially if home is nearby. If the cat made it home you might never find her unless the person on the porch was calling for that cat. I do think it's the right thing to go back ASAP even if it's not a law in your state. Good luck.

If I had 5 kids in my car - I would have stopped. To me hitting an domestic animal is on par with hitting a human. If you had hit a kid on a bicycle... would you have left the scene just because there was someone outside already because you had children in the car?

The least you can do is go there in person, see what became of the cat - and if it died or had to be taken to the Animal ER - give a check for most of the medical action that was needed to save the cat.

***ADDED***
If you listen to those who say not to go back because they may (RIGHTFULLY) try to get you to pay vet bills - well then I hope your children never get hit by a driver who runs away and cannot be found to help you pay for the medical bills that would ensue from a child being hit by a moving car. It's the same that saying that kids who get hit from a car - it is the parents fault for not supervising them better, not the driver - - but we all know that's not the truth!

I wouldn't go back, they might try to get you to pay the vet bill if the cat is still alive. Unfortunately, this is what can happen when a cat plays outside and most cat owners are aware of this. If this was a rabbit you hit, you would just feel bad for a day or two and be over it, so pretend it was a bunny, lol!! :)

Let it go ! no worries - think positive thoughts that the Cat is fine. You did NOTHING WRONG !

Some time back, my daughter's dog got out (they didn't realize that the front door had not caught all the way when they left) and got hit and killed. He had a name tag on his collar and the driver was thoughtful enough to bring him home and leave him on the doorstep. Not a nice sight for my daughter to come home to after work, but better than having to go look for his body.
On the two occasions when I have been unable to avoid hitting an animal, I stopped. One had a name tag, and I brought it home and offered to pay the vet bill. The other did not have ID, and was mortally injured, so I brought it to my vet and had it euthanized.

Well first if someone is going to be responible with their pets its not your fault. However I think all life is precious..I am NOT a cat a person but I respect life and would not intentionally hurt anything. When I was about 24yrs I also hit a cat. It was horrible I saw the poor animal make these sick circles behind my car. I parked in front of the closest house to tell them I think I hit their car. I was crying by the time they answered the door. I asked them if they had a cat. They said yes. I said I just hit someone cat. I felt so bad about it.
Also their house was a major road and it didnt make the best sense to just let the animal run outside.

I would take my husband with me just in case they are angry.