Animals can be dangerous when hurt, in pain, or lost and scared. If you're concerned about approaching them, contact your local shelter for guidance on the best steps.
If you feel the injured animal is safe and small enough to handle, take them to your nearest veterinarian's office to be evaluated and treated if necessary. The animal might be microchipped, and a veterinarian will be able to check for this. All vets will administer emergency care to an animal in need.
Check for a tag or other identification if you can safely manage it. For example, there might be a license number, address, or phone number for the person who owns the animal or the location from where it wandered away.
Contact your local SPCA or nearest no-kill animal shelter if the animal is loose but not injured and without tags.
If the animal is on the roadway, posing a risk to itself or others, and cannot be safely moved, contact the police immediately.