It is not uncommon to see a pet hit by a car or injured by the road. Many of these pets are then brought to veterinary clinics by good Samaritans.

If this happens to you, it is important to be extremely careful as injured pets may lash out by biting or scratching due to fear or pain.

Some tips to keep the pet (and you) safe include:

Make sure you are in a safe location. If you are by the road, pay special attention to avoid getting yourself injured.

Look the pet over to determine location and severity of injuries and overall temperament of the cat. Cats can bite and scratch when in pain or afraid. Be careful!

The ideal way to pick up or transport an injured cat is to place a big towel or blanket gently over the cat and scoop him gently into a box. Try to avoid direct contact with the cat. Try to make all your contact through the towel or blanket. Of course the ideal is to have a cat muzzle or heavy gloves to prevent bites.

For more tips on how to transport an injured cat, please read Transporting an Injured Cat.