This weekend I received an email from a young girl who found an injured bat. She said it flew into a tree, then fell into a lake. She scooped it out with a piece of cardboard and set it in a tree. She wanted to know if it would be okay.
I was touched by this girls concern for this injured creature, but I was FAR more worried for her – and here is why: Bats can be carriers of Rabies and ANY level of exposure (not just a bite) can put you at risk.
So what to do if you find a bat? Call your local health department, animal control or a local wildlife rehab center. Do not attempt to capture it until you have been advised by a proper agency. If anyone has touched the bat – including your pets – you MUST report this to the health department. I cannot advise what to do for human exposure, but for a domestic animal we recommend a booster of the rabies vaccine immediately. If your pet is OVERDUE for a rabies vaccine, discuss the protocol with your veterinarian. Some states require quarantine.
In summary, try not to touch bats;) Call your local health department for advise if you have come in contact with one. If you are an animal lover like me – keep a list of wildlife rehab numbers on hand. No one ever plans to find injured animals and it is usually an emergency when you do. Being prepared is the best way to help.
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