I rescued a kitty from a car accident!

**Burns** · 10-10-2007 08:44 AM

ok so yesterday was an exciting day at work.

I discharged a cat who had been hospitalized for the day - went over everything with the owner, gave her the meds and food samples to take home, and she left.

Well like 5 minutes later, the phone rings and the receptionist answered it, and immediately came and got me. She said that the lady who just picked up her cat was on the phone crying and that she was just in a car accident. I picked up the phone and asked, "Are you okay? Where are you?" She was crying hard and said she was just down the street in a major intersection and was in a bad accident and wanted to know if I could come get her cat. I said I'd be right there.

I bolted out the door and ran like hell down to the major intersection. When I ran up to the scene of the accident, I was shocked. The two vehicles both appeared totaled. One was halfway up in the grass median between the two four-lane roads. There was glass everywhere, and police, ambulance, and fire were already on the scene. They had the 8 lane highway completely shut down.

I ran across the road and amazingly, the rescue personnel let me go right up to the vehicles. I was still wearing my scrub jacket so maybe they knew I was coming to help. To be honest, I didn't know what I was going to find in the car. All the windows were blown out, the tires blown out, the SUV and pickup were totaled.

I ran up to the driver's side of the SUV, which I knew to be our client's car. She was still in the driver's seat and paramedics were taking vitals and asking her questions. She had an obvious head injury - there was bruising and blood, but otherwise, she appeared ok other than she was crying and in shock.

I saw the cat carrier in the passenger seat so I ran around the other side of the vehicle. I identified myself to one of the police officers, and they said the cat seemed ok, but the bag of meds and food were out in the middle of the highway and they had picked everything back up and put it back in the bag. The doors were too smashed to open, so I had to pull the cat out through the blown out passenger window, careful not to cut myself on all the glass. Max the cat seemed unhurt but I needed to get him back to the clinic to be sure. I told the owner I would be taking Max and keep him there until further notice.

So I had the cat carrier and the bag of meds, and ran back across the road and back to the clinic. When I got back, I took Max out of the carrier, and he seemed fine, other than being covered in glass. I did a full physical on him to make sure there were no obvious injuries, and got all the glass off him and out of his carrier, and put him back in his cage. He seemed pretty untraumatized by the whole thing, actually.

I haven't heard an update on the owner yet, which I'm sure they kept her overnight in the hospital for concussion injury. I still don't know what or who caused the accident or what happened. But I tell ya, my adreneline was pumping and I was in rescue mode! Hopefully everyone involved was okay.

This is the exact reason why we tell people to use cat carriers! If Max hadn't been in a carrier, he would've flown out the window or against the windshield and would probably either be dead or severely injured. People don't think this would ever happen to them, but this proves that it only takes a second, no matter where you are, and it may not even be your fault - but accidents happen and you have to take responsibilty for everyone in the car, including pets. This is also a good reason to keep dogs seatbelted in with a harness. So if you or anyone you know travels with their pet without proper restraint or a cat carrier - make them aware of what can happen in a blink of an eye!

**Oneironaut Zero** · 10-10-2007 09:00 AM

Just another one of the 252,643,028,8592,177 (give or take a trillion) reasons why we love you, Burns.

Crazy story. Hope the driver(s) ok.

**Burns** · 10-10-2007 09:05 AM

aww thanks, O

**kichu** · 10-10-2007 09:20 AM

Yikes! Thanks Burns. Mental note has been made.

**KuRoSaKi** · 10-10-2007 09:24 AM

Just goes to show why Burns is one of the most loved DV Members on the site

**Namaste** · 10-10-2007 09:34 AM

Well Done Burns

The poor cat must have been quite scared, its good you can look after the cat until their owner returns.

**dodobird** · 10-10-2007 09:39 AM

Wow,
OK, from now on I will always take the cats in cat carriers, and not let them wonder around in the car.
Hmm, I guess it's a good idea to also fasten the cat carrier with a sit belt.

**Adrenaline Junkie** · 10-10-2007 09:52 AM

Burns is a hero!

Good on you though, i crave one of those adrenaline pumping moments, but not in that context in which life was in danger. Its great to know that Max had you to take care and check things just in case. Well done

**Burns** · 10-10-2007 09:56 AM

Thanks everyone!

Originally Posted by dodobird

Wow,
OK, from now on I will always take the cats in cat carriers, and not let them wonder around in the car.
Hmm, I guess it's a good idea to also fasten the cat carrier with a sit belt.

yes, it's a great idea to try to secure the carrier with a seatbelt. It might be hard with some of the older styles, but they have newer carriers now that have seatbelt straps so you can secure it in the seat safely. I always use cat carriers for my cats, but I have to admit that the dog doesn't have a harness - but after this incident, that will change!

**Clairity** · 10-10-2007 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Burns

but I have to admit that the dog doesn't have a harness - but after this incident, that will change!

With 4 dogs, I simply have a large dog carrier strapped in the back seat of my car at all times (I'm constantly taking one of them somewhere).

Bless you Burns for being there for the owner and her cat.

I'm sure it's a great relief for the owner (at the time of the accident and now) to know that she doesn't have to worry about her cat and that she can concentrate on getting well.

Please let us know if you hear how the owner is doing.

pj · 10-10-2007 10:33 AM

What a story, Burns. Walking into a scene like that takes resolve and courage. Good for you.

Lucky cat.

In a few more years, you will be able to write your memoirs and then retire comfortably on royalties. If James Herriot can do it, so can you.

And if you don't know who Herriot is, boy are you in for a treat.

**Burns** · 10-10-2007 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by Clairity

I'm sure it's a great relief for the owner (at the time of the accident and now) to know that she doesn't have to worry about her cat and that she can concentrate on getting well.

Please let us know if you hear how the owner is doing.

Thanks Clairity

I know if it was me in the accident, I'd be more concerned about if my cat is okay than myself! That's great you use a crate for your dogs.

Originally Posted by pj

In a few more years, you will be able to write your memoirs and then retire comfortably on royalties. If James Herriot can do it, so can you.

And if you don't know who Herriot is, boy are you in for a treat.

haha

oh yeah, I know who James Herriot is. I love his book All Creatures Great and Small and All Things Bright and Beautiful

It's fascinating to read about how veterinary medicine was for them in their time. It's come a LONG way!

**Ariadne** · 10-10-2007 12:03 PM

Very admirable. You seem to have a rewarding job.

I haven't decided on it yet, but I've been thinking about studying veterinary medicine myself. It probably feels really great helping the animals, seeing them get better, getting to know each pet's personality and also seeing the authentic, pure joy of both pet and owner when they are reunited.

**Burns** · 10-10-2007 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Ariadne

It probably feels really great helping the animals, seeing them get better, getting to know each pet's personality and also seeing the authentic, pure joy of both pet and owner when they are reunited.

Thanks, Ariadne

You hit the nail on the head. It's an extremely rewarding job. Not to mention fun! I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'd highly recommend going into the veterinary field if you are interested in animals and medicine. There is always a need for veterinarians and licensed technicians, no matter where you live.

**Ariadne** · 10-10-2007 12:48 PM

A lot of people apply for places in the veterinary field, so (at least in my country and UK, from what i've gathered) there's tough competition for each and every place. I might apply next year and see how it goes, but i don't want to get my hopes up too high though.

You're very lucky to have such a job, not to mention the two cats you have. The two, unbelievably cute cats in your signature were your cats right?

Hopefully someday i will have a good stable income and a spacious apartment so i can give a good home to a cat or two.

**Burns** · 10-10-2007 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by Ariadne

A lot of people apply for places in the veterinary field, so (at least in my country and UK, from what i've gathered) there's tough competition for each and every place. I might apply next year and see how it goes, but i don't want to get my hopes up too high though.

hmm, I guess I didn't realize the competition was so steep in other countries. Here in the US, it seems like everyone is looking for licensed techs and vets. You could always start out as a receptionist or kennel assistant in a veterinary clinic, and then work your way up to be a tech or doctor once you start your vet schooling.

Originally Posted by Ariadne

You're very lucky to have such a job, not to mention the two cats you have. The two, unbelievably cute cats in your avatar were your cats right?

Hopefully someday i will have a good stable income and a spacious apartment so i can give a good home to a cat or two.

Thanks!

yep, the cat in my avatar is Titus (though he's covered up in a ghost sheet currently..), and my regular sig is both Cloud and Titus, my two cats. I do feel very fortunate to live the life I live. I am thankful everyday for my family, pets, and job. I lead an extremely gratifying life and couldn't be happier

You sound like you would be an excellent mommy to some kitties of your own!

**dodobird** · 10-11-2007 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by Burns

Thanks everyone!

yes, it's a great idea to try to secure the carrier with a seatbelt. It might be hard with some of the older styles, but they have newer carriers now that have seatbelt straps so you can secure it in the seat safely. I always use cat carriers for my cats, but I have to admit that the dog doesn't have a harness - but after this incident, that will change!

Another reason to keep a cat in a carrier:
Once I took a cat to the vet ( a black and white female ), and I didn't have a carrier, so I just let her wonder around in the car, and I kept the windows closed.
Well, while I was driving, this smart cat wanted to get out, so she pressed on the button that opens the window of the passenger sit, and jumped out!
Luckily I drove slowly on a busy street. I stopped the car and went out to look for her. I couldn't see her anywhere, so I figured she must have ran into the closest hiding place, which was an opening between some shops. I went in there, and it led down to a basement of a cloth shop, I whistled to her, and heard her meowing, and there she was standing between stacks of cloth =)

**Clairity** · 10-11-2007 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by dodobird

while I was driving, this smart cat wanted to get out, so she pressed on the button that opens the window of the passenger sit, and jumped out!

I would have wet my pants and probably wrecked the car when she jumped out!

I'm just so glad you found her and that she wasn't hurt!

**dodobird** · 10-11-2007 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by Clairity

I would have wet my pants and probably wrecked the car when she jumped out!

I'm just so glad you found her and that she wasn't hurt!

yea that was maybe her 3rd or 4th soul...

**Burns** · 10-11-2007 07:44 AM

OMG, dodobird! Yeah I would've flipped out too if the cat jumped out the window! VERY good example of why carriers are important.

Another good example, people who don't use carriers usually just carry their cats in their arms from their car into the hospital. Well any loud noise outside or anything, and the cat will freak out, and easily escape the owner's arms, either run out in the street and get hit by a car, or just run away, never to be found again. We've had this actually happen! More than once! And people STILL don't understand why cat carriers are so important for the cats' safety.

People don't think these things can happen to them... until they actually do! Then they feel terribly guilty and miserable for their idiocy.

**Namaste** · 10-11-2007 07:49 AM

Yes, I always take my cat in a cat carrier but she doesn't like to go inside the carrier and meows all the time but its best to be in the carrier even if she doesn't like to travel that way

**Clairity** · 10-11-2007 08:18 AM

Another thing that scares me are people who let their dog's head stick out the window while they drive!

I saw a dog yesterday in a car with the window rolled down just enough so that his whole head could stick his head out but not so much that he could jump out:

All I could think of is that if they got into an accident that dog would be really hurt.. if not decapitated!

Even it there was a really sudden stop, the dog would end up cutting his neck on the window edge.

If people are going to let their dogs hang out the window like this.. they should really get a "window bumper" like the one below!

*Clairity is now stepping off her soapbox*

**Burns** · 10-11-2007 08:21 AM

Good point, Clairity! I've never seen those window bumpers before, but that's a good idea for dogs who stick their heads out the window like that. I've heard of dogs jumping out the window before (like dodobird's cat), or out the back of pickup trucks.

One time I witnessed a dog tied into the back of a pickup truck, the dog jumped out and hung himself over the side of the truck! The was killed instantly, and the owner just stopped the truck, got out, and flung the dog back into the bed of the truck, got back in, and drove away! Like he didn't even care he just killed his dog! It's amazing what some people do.

**dodobird** · 10-11-2007 08:37 AM

While we are warning of mishaps that could happen to pets: I always thought ( though correct me if I'm wrong ) thats it's very dangerous when you take a dog with a leash into or out of an elevator, I mean what happens if the doors close on the leash and the elevator starts to go? Well if it a thick leash than I guess the doors will automatically open ( not sure about that ), but what about those very thin extending leashes?

**Clairity** · 10-11-2007 08:52 AM

I don't ever think I've seen a dog on an elevator.. that's a scary scenario!

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