Heart-wrenching tale, all of it :(

I don't know countryside people, or folk that interact with them on a regular basis, but if I ever do, I'm giving the latter group this link.

As someone who has pulled off maybe two or three such rescues (albeit with my parents), and not all of which ended with the creature in question surviving, I feel your pain with having to put down the likes of cats, dogs and birds. It's just too searing on one's soul.

I hope you're able to put this whole behind you (as best as it can be) soon.
Bless you and your husband (and anyone else that helps with it) for fronting this kind of effort and compassion in saving these creatures :)
May God give you strength.