Often animals get hurt accidentally by people. Here are some tips to help your furry or feathered friend survive.

[edit] Steps

[edit] Domestic Pets

Cover any bleeding wounds with a clean cloth and transport the animal to your vet asap.
Gently splint any obvious broken bones and transport to your vet asap.
Cover minor cuts and abrasions with antibiotic cream and a bandage to keep the animal from licking the cream away. Transport to your vet if the wound does not heal within a day or two.
Consult with your veterinarian over the phone about other ailments such as eczema, changes in bowel movements, etc. Do NOT treat your animal for these conditions without advice from your vet.
Give them love and care

Do NOT give Asprin or tylenol to any hurt animal you think might be in pain they can be lethal and/or cause permenent kidney faliure.

[edit] Non Domesticated Animals

Ascertain the severity of the injury from a distance. You should not approach a wild animal unless you are certain that you will not make it's plight even more frightful by your presence.
Contact your local Animal Control authorities and ask for assistance. These individuals can be an invaluable source of helpful information.
Enlist the aid of a wildlife rehabilitator if at all possible. These individuals have a wealth of information and experience to draw on in dealing with non-domesticated animals.
Oppossum- may be smaller than a dog, yet still dangerous to handle.

Do not approach a non-domesticated animal that is larger than a dog. Most smaller mammals and birds can be approached and quickly immobilized with a sheet or blanket, but larger animals will require specialized training and equipment to subdue without injuring either the animal or yourself.
Trap the animal if it is ambulatory... Catch an Animal With a Havahart Trap is an article which may assist you in this endeavor.
Approach smaller animals with extreme caution. It may be small and furry, but it's teeth and claws can still inflict damage.
Covering an animals head with a shirt or jacket can aid in subduing them and keeping you away from their "business" end... but do so ONLY with consultation and advice from either Animal Control or a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator.
Assuming that you have successfully managed to capture and subdue an injured animal, place the animal in a contained area such as a cage, a box, or a tupperware tote container as a temporary confinement to enable you to transport them to the nearest veterinary clinic or wildlife rehabilitator.
Enlist the aid of a friend if necessary.

[edit] Tips

Avoid harming animals if at all possible.
There is safety in numbers. Get advice before attempting to "rescue" a wild animal.
Just because an animal is "domesticated" does not mean that it will allow you to approach, or that it will trust your judgement if you are trying to help it. You should approach ANY injured animal with caution.

[edit] Warnings

Many non-domesticated animals carry diseases that are transmittable to humans. Bird Flu and Rabies are prime examples of why it is not a good idea to mess with Mother Nature.