Answer: Following its involvement in the road accident a cat, if still conscious, will be disturbed and frightened and will often run away blindly in an attempt to escape from the scene. The animal does not understand what has happened to it and reverts to defensive behavior. Even when approached by its owner, it may prove aggressive and resent handling.
The approach to such a cat should be clam, quiet and yet purposeful. Leather glove can provide some protection against scratches, but they should be sufficiently flexible not to prevent you may from making firm grasping movements. A coat, or other garment which covers your arms down to the wrist, will prevent them being badly scratched. There is however, no effective way to muzzle a cat.
It is useful to have the help of two or three sensible people, but noisy and hysterical onlookers should be asked to leave. Approach the animal slowly, making sure that it can hear or see you coming to prevent to flying into sudden panic. Be very cautious if the animal is on a wall or projection above ground level, or it is cornered, because it may then try to attack. By talking to the animal in a quiet reassuring voice, you may be able to get close enough to stroke it and very carefully pick it up. If you attempt this, is the best to make a few preliminary stroking movement and then to take a firm grasp of the cat’s scruff and to lift it into some suitable carrying container placed nearby. Be prepared for the animal to struggle, and don’t let go unless you absolutely have to because second attempts are usually much less successful. Watch the animal the time.
If find you are unable to gain the animal’s confidence sufficiently to allow to do this another technique to pick up an aggressive cat is to drop an old coat or blanket over the animal, to quickly take all the edges underneath the cat, and then to left the whole bundle and quickly place it inside your container. If all else fails, you will need to telephone for the professional assistance, e.g. from an animal welfare society, veterinary surgeon, police, or in some countries, a professional dog and cat catcher. Devices specially developed for catching stray animals will probably have to be used.
Of course, it is the less seriously injured cat, and sometimes the totally uninjured but very frightened cat, that present the greatest problem. The seriously injured animal is unlikely to be aware of or to care much about your presence,; indeed it may be unconscious.
Some of the things not to do in this situation include chasing the cat, trying to tempt it with food or drink ( after an accident eating and drinking is very far from its mind), shouting or making sudden movements, and taking hold of the animal by an obviously injured part. When the injured animal is within a secure container it should, as soon as possible, receive veterinary attention.
