How to Help an Injured Animal on the Highway

This beautiful vixen was recently spotted lying on the shoulder of a major highway in Chesapeake, Virginia. She wasn’t moving and didn’t show any obvious signs of life as cars whizzed by. But when a PETA staffer stopped to check on her, she made a horrifying discovery: The fox was still breathing.

Our staffer immediately called animal control, and an officer came out to put this injured animal quickly and humanely out of her misery. But what should you do if you find an animal in distress while on the road? Here’s a checklist that you can print out and keep in your glove box:

• Note your exact location, including the closest exit number or mile marker if you’re on a highway.
• Pull over as soon as you can and put your hazard lights on. If possible, choose the same side of the road that the animal is on to avoid having to cross busy lanes of traffic. Wait until there are no cars coming before opening your door and exiting the vehicle. If the animal is in the middle of traffic, pull over to the side of the road and call animal control or the police for assistance.
• Determine if the animal is dead or alive. Is the animal stiff? This would mean that he or she has been dead for some time. Is the animal breathing? With furry animals, the wind can fool you, so look carefully. Injured animals often labor to breathe or breathe rapidly—observe the chest and abdominal area for movement. If an animal is still warm to the touch but you can’t see him or her breathing or any other signs of life, gently pinch a back toe to see if the animal pulls away. If it’s safe and feasible, you can also gently position your finger against the animal’s eye to test for a blink reflex.
• If the animal is alive, call your local animal-control agency or police dispatch. (Program these numbers into your cell phone now so that you always have them with you.) If you can’t reach a live person, don’t hesitate to call 911. Calmly state your emergency: “I’m calling for an animal-control officer. I’ve just found an injured animal who has been hit (state your location) and is still alive. This animal is suffering very badly and needs help. Can you please send an animal control officer right away? I’m in a (describe the make and model of the car you’re in) and will stay with the animal until help arrives.” Check back in with dispatch if an officer doesn’t arrive within a few minutes.
• Do not attempt to move injured animals without assistance from a trained individual. Injured animals may bite out of pain, fear, or shock. Some animals, including foxes and raccoons, may be rabid and could pose a danger to you (or your animal companions if they’re in the car with you).
• Do not leave the scene. Stay with the animal until help arrives. This is vital to ensure that an officer is able to locate the scene and the animal gets help. Set out flares if you have them as an added safety measure while you wait.
• If you’re having trouble getting assistance, call PETA at 757-622-PETA.

Always stop if there is any chance that an animal is still alive and in pain. Your intervention could help ensure that an animal doesn’t suffer for hours or days in agony.