I have an injured bat in my backyard

[caseysmom]

Well I am not really sure if he is injured but it seems like it.

I came home and let potter out on the back patio, he kept staring in one direction so I went out to see him staring at a tiny bat. I locked potter in the bathroom and I went out to take a better look. I realize that bats are carriers of rabies so I called wildlife rescue.

They gave me the number for the bat person, I left a message but she hasn't called back. In the meantime I did get the bat into a little box with a spatula. He hardly moves, he is so cute.

I hope they will let me take him in to rescue and I hope he survives long enough. I know potter is due for his rabbies so I am going to take him in tomorrow to get a vaccine since it seems like we have bats around now.

[charlie116]

wow. that's crazy! it's a good thing you were smart enough to call wildlife rescue instead of handling it yourself . i hope he/she gets better!!!

[Karen]

Awww, he shouldn't be out during the day, I hope he's okay! Thanks for caring for him. There is a sickness called white nose syndrome that is killing off bat colonies in some places, so we need to care care of these important critters!

[caseysmom]

I talked to a rescuer that doesn't do the rescue anymore but she wants me to try to get him in a tree at dusk with a pair of gardening gloves on and then bleach my hands and the gloves, I don't know its kind of scary. He did crawl out of the box I had and flew off the table and landed on the ground again, I guess they need about 6 feet to jump head down they can't "launch" like a bird.

If they are on the ground it usually means they are sick.

[caseysmom]

A rescuer is coming soon to pick him up.

[cassiesmom]

A rescuer is coming soon to pick him up.

Oh, good Thumbs up for you for helping the little critter!

[caseysmom]

I went out to check on him and make sure he has air, it looks like he does have a hole on his wing.

[Freedom]

Good job, caring for him and contacting rescue!

We had an article about that "white nose" killing them off in our newspaper just last week. But a whole in the wing, well, that may be more manageable!

Any chance of photos?

[caseysmom]

I don't have a camera I don't think, I always used my daughters and she is off to college. I may be able to do it on my blackberry...I will try...

[Karen]

Hopefully they can help his little wing heal! We need more healthy bats around, they eat mosquitos!

[caseysmom]

The nice rescue lady came. She thinks he is sick, his feet were curled and he didn't look too good to her. At least he will humanely go to the bridge. She told me to get Potter a rabies shot tomorrow since he is close to needing one, I will take him to the mobile clinic we have tomorrow. She said he didn't have any sign of kitty trauma so at least potter didn't do it.

[Karen]

Awww, poor little one. At least he is with someone who is knowledgeable now, and if there's any hope, she'll be able to help him.

[Medusa]

Aw, poor li'l thing. Thank you for caring enough to call rescue. If he does go to the Bridge, at least he'll have known some kindness.

[Catty1]

Poor little guy...I do hope he makes it, maybe he has just been without food for too long.

If not, he will have new wings at the Bridge.

[caseysmom]

Thanks everyone. I am glad like you have all said that he is with someone that knows what to do now and if there is a chance he will have it.

He is a little mexican free tailed bat. I was told we don't have the white nose problem here in California yet. I did go get Potter his vaccine just in case.