10mo kitten runover today

[Sportacus17]

Found our 10mo ginger boy on the road today. Completely squashed and mutilated and just left there. I had to take him to the vet for scanning as I couldn’t 100% tell if he was our cat. He was.

we live in a village with 20 mile an hour roads and fields / forests surrounding our house … I hoped he would be okay and he was desperate to get out so I started letting him out a couple of months ago.

I feel so so so guilty. My 2 little girls loved him so much. He followed them about, always sat near they were, sat on the table while they were crafting or doing homework. When they wake up the morning the first thing they do is open their bedroom door and he runs in for snuggles.

I’ve known about this all day but didn’t tell them until after school. They were so gutted. The older one cried herself to sleep. They have lost so much so quickly and I don’t know what to do to help them.

we had a little funeral in the back garden (don’t worry they didn’t see the body, I left that at the vets). We just buried some of his toys wrapped in his favourite blanket, and a little goodbye card the girls made.

I am crying as I type this… I just don’t know what to do for them. Tomorrow morning will be awful. He really was the most beautiful, affectionate cat.

@Sportacus17 so sorry to hear about your kitten.

So very sorry to hear about your kitten. Had that happen to me too many times as a child.

I adopted older cats from rescue. Two were 18 months old, and the other was 5. All of them were used to being outdoor. None of them has expressed interest in going out since they came to us.

Even when I had indoor/outdoor cats, I never allowed them to stay out after it got dark.

I am so sorry, I lost a cat on the road age 1, it was devastating.

Personally I am in the replace ASAP camp - as your road seems very dangerous would you consider an indoor cat? Either a breed such as ragdoll that needs to be indoors or one that needs to be indoors for health reasons?

The 2 cats I have now, one is incredibly nervous so never goes far from the house, and one is an ex-street cat and very savvy about crossing the road. So there are options if you still would like them to go outdoors.

I got comfort from the fact the cat would have known nothing about what happened and was happy living her best life until her last second.

Yes, I'd be bereft too. Absolutely gutting isn't it? I'm still grieving my tiny puss 4 years later.
It is better it was quick as you say.
RIP xxxx I'm sorry for your loss xxxx 💐

I'm so sorry.

I am so very sorry, that must have been traumatic for you.

We lost our 11 month old girl in different circumstances last year. My daughter was inconsolable. We did get another kitten a month later, maybe too soon for some but our house was so empty and we had so much love to give. I don’t regret it, but wish we had gotten two. Maybe something for you to consider, especially if you are leaning towards house cats x

I'm so sorry.

I would consider an older cat, perhaps a stray as they tend to be street wise. Also lock in at night as that tends to be when they can get into trouble, even fights with other cats.

Give yourself time but do get another cat, so many are looking for good homes.

You could always get another one now? I adopted two (separately) 2 years ago. The younger one is obsessed with the older girl, but she doesn't want to know!! I thought about getting a 3rd and just after Christmas I saw a big placid boy up for rehoming as his owner had died, and something told me this could work.

He is a massive hit with my younger girl - they have such fun together, and it's hilarious the way they copy each other! It's a work in progress with the older one but I don't think she dislikes him as much because he backs off when challenged. Time will tell, but it's been a roaring success with these two.

I agree with @AnnaMagnani. Our house had a cat-shaped hole after our last boy died. These three have brought so much joy to our home.

@Canthave2manycats Thank you so much, I’ve contacted my local rescue after reading your post - fingers crossed!!

So sorry.
If you get another cat, just let it out in the daytime, much less likely to be run over and still get freedom (pdsa/act protection advice). And please think about getting an adult rescue cat instead of a kitten, there's lots of lovely ones looking for homes.

Good luck! x

So sorry for your loss 💐