Christmas in crisis

It was a cold christmas eve, we were driving back home late at night from a celebration. When we glanced over and saw what no animal lover wants to see. A cat lying on the road.

We circled back and planned out what to do as it wasn't a great place to stop. It was on a dual carriage way with no lighting. Luckily we had a box in the boot from a previous rescue that we hadnt taken out yet and a hi vis vest but they're not good tools for the job so when all else fails be fast.

We didn't know anything about whether the cat was alive or dead, but we did know that retrieving it was going to need to be a quick job. So box in hand, adrenaline pumping, I run over and scoop the cat straight into the box. Then sit us in the backseat so I can see whats going on as we travel to the vets.

Sadly it was dead, would have been hit a few hours ago, its injury wasnt nice to see. Such a beautiful fur baby that just didn't stand a chance against a 70mph road with two lanes. We knew there could be a family at home waiting for their cat to return or even be out searching for it. It would be horrible news to hear on christmas but it is better than never knowing. The cat had no collar but it may have a microchip which is why we headed to the vets.

It got to midnight as we arrived at the emergency vets. I felt bad handing over the box with a deceased visibly injured cat in the first few minutes of christmas but its important for a potential family to know. Its what the vets would want too so although its not a nice job it is a very important one. We signed over the cat, shared its location and they assessed/handled from there. We later found out the cat wasn't microchipped. I called at intervals over time to see if any owners had contacted regarding it but nothing.

We researched the area she was found more and there were farms surrounding so its possible she was a farm cat. She was ginger and white, very beautiful and looked well groomed. After the vet trip we posted on multiple missing/lost sights, checked peoples ads to see if any matched the description but sadly nothing.

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It felt sad to see a soul missing with nobody trying to find it, but maybe it lived a good life being independent. If it was on a farm I'm sure it had an amazing chasing rats.

This rescue could have gone a number of ways but I'm glad we gave the cat an opportunity to be found. It recieved a last act of kindness after a horrible experience.

She was a beautiful stranger to us, but she might have been someone else's everything.

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If ever you find yourself in a position like this or with alive creatures in need of help and you dont know what to do, the vets offer a service where you can sign the animal over completely free and they'll give it care or get it to a rescue/released. You can literally call, turn up, drop it off, sign a sheet of paper and walk away. Its very quick and very worth doing if you can help something in need. There are vets open 24/7 365, such as Camarthen Vetinary Hospital 01267 220404. Local vets will take in whilst they're open aswell.