how do you get over the fact you can’t help a stray animal ?

There are an estimated 600 to 700 million stray cats and dogs worldwide. You need to pick your battles.

Leaving it alone and focusing on the things u can do

Reminding myself of what I can reasonably do and handle while keeping my mental, physical, and financial peace

In the same way I can't solve all the other issues in the world. I do what I can in areas I can made a difference

Why can't you help?

Knowing my cat, he'd probably try to kill the animal before I even get a chance to call the shelter

Compartmentalize it and dont open it.

We live in a world which is fundamentally unfair While AA uses this, the serenity prayer actually has a place here: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference. Acceptance doesn't mean giving up. It means recognizing what's outside your locus of control, and that sometimes there are times in life where try as might to gain courage or ability, you cannot help. And if you have the ability to act, that you follow through. And the wisdom line is the bridge between peace and action. You're training yourself to pause and ask: Is this mine to fix? Is this something I can influence or something I need to release? Repeat this, use it a soothing, grounding tool.

Same way I get over the fact that I can't help every terminal cancer patient, starving child, or save the rainforest. The world is drowning in tragedy, and despite all of our civil accoutrements and enlightenment, the world is a stark and brutal place. Build a happy life for yourself and your tribe if you can. If you're successful enough, your tribe can grow large enough to include all of the starving children and stray animals. The rest is background noise you have to live with.

I can’t, I’ll lose sleep over it for days.

Coyotes need to eat.