What is entailed for one who caused the death of a cat by hitting it so it would eat, while feeling remorse due to the presence of four small kittens that need to be cared for?

Killing an animal intentionally without a valid reason is impermissible, due to the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "No human kills a sparrow or anything larger than it without its rightful due, but Allah the Almighty will question him concerning it." Its rightful due is that it be slaughtered and eaten. This warning encompasses every animal, and the one who commits such an act must repent, seek forgiveness, and draw closer to Allah through good deeds. As for someone who did it by mistake, there is no sin upon him, for Allah the Almighty says: "And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred," and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah has forgiven for my Ummah their mistakes and forgetfulness." Therefore, the cat should have been left alone after it refused food, and whoever intentionally killed it must repent, seek forgiveness, and draw closer to Allah.