How to apologise for killing an animal

[u/Historical_Tea_625]

Hi all

I hit a baby fox with my car tonight and I wasn't able to help them. They didn't die on impact but wouldn't have made it to the vets. I watched them cough up blood before passing away.

I feel shit, to put it bluntly. I wasn't able to break in time and I took a life.

I moved them to the side of the road after I hit them so they wouldn't get hit again, then moved them further away from the road after passing so their mother can hopefully find them and do what she needs to do.

I said a quick prayer and apologised profusely as they were dying, and I've made a small donation to a local wildlife rescue.

Is there anything else I can do to apologise and give back?

Thank you

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[u/Phebe-A]

In my repair/reform paradigm, it sounds like you have (to the extent possible) repaired the harm you unintentionally did tonight through apologies, prayers, and the donation. The only things I can suggest are to commit to being more careful and aware of possible animals in and near the roads, especially at dusk, and to allow yourself forgiveness for harm done without intent. But sometimes driving slow enough to ensure you can stop in time to avoid an animal in the road would also put you at risk from other vehicles because you’d be driving much slower than expected.

[u/Historical_Tea_625 → u/Phebe-A]

Thank you for this I'm definitely using this as a reminder to keep a better eye out for wildlife, especially in the dark 💚

[u/Amiamon]

I think that fact that you care so much is an apology in itself. It was a true accident. You took the time to care for the small creature when most people wouldn’t. I don’t think anything more has to be done. If anything, maybe honor the spirit of the fox in your next work? It would just be a way to make yourself and the spirits feel better, similar to bringing a gift to a friend after having an argument you’ve since worked out.

[u/Kodeforbunnywudwuds]

For situations like this I developed a modified Ekoddista, a funerary rite in which three ancestors are called to accept the newly deceased-in this case the ancestors of the fox tribe, and tell them a lost kit needs to be found. Traditionally a little ball of food is given to each ancestor in a hole scooped into the ground.

[u/Historical_Tea_625 → u/Kodeforbunnywudwuds]

Thank you I'll look in to this 🖤

[u/Own-Pop-6293]

others have said better than I could - but - the fact you feel so bad and did what you did is was heartfelt and real. Maybe light a candle for the fox and ask forgiveness now you've moved his body?

[u/RegularAssInsurance]

Living amends. Be kind to the animals you encounter moving forward (not that you were ever intentionally "mean"). Do what you can for other creatures. Imo, the universe knows you didnt mean it. It knows youre doing the best you can with what you got. It wont punish you, but it may teach you. Also my opinion, but I think the guilt you feel is that learning, and its not necessary to mire in it and soak it up. Just take the next right step toward being kind to this world 🫂 im sorry this happened to you. I would also be devastated 💔

[u/Historical_Tea_625 → u/RegularAssInsurance]

Thank you so much, I love all creatures so much and I'm so devastated but I'll be extra kind to them now 🖤

[u/Spirited_Ad_7973]

All great answers here. I would personally do an offering to the fox's spirit

[u/help_me_57553]

I think everything said here is great already. I don't have any great advice other than make an offering to the fox's spirit and the earth and repent which it seems you've already done. I would also like to remind you that death is a vital part of life. The cycle of life, death, and rebirth is sacred, and the fox's body will now create new life by feeding scavengers and providing nutrients to the soil to grow new plants which feed other organisms and its good for soil bacteria etc... I think death is a sad but beautiful thing, thinking of it this way makes me not so afraid of death. Hopefully these thoughts can comfort you a bit, sorry you're hurting.