Bat Care

Bats are very fragile and misunderstood animals. When they are sick or injured, they require very specialist care.

FOUND A BAT?

If the bat is on the ground, unable to fly, bleeding, or otherwise injured then immediate attention from an experienced bat carer or a vet is considered urgent and essential. The bat may have been caught by a cat, fallen from its roost, or be a lost and starving baby bat.

Do not touch the bat with your bare hands.
Do not treat or feed the bat without speaking to a bat carer or the Bat Conservation Trust. Bats are protected under international law from harm, therefore if you have found a bat in need of help it is imperative to seek assistance.

In Sussex, contact your nearest bat rescuer via Sussex Bat Group

Alternatively:

Find your local bat group/carer network here.
Phone the Bat Conservation Trust helpline 0345 1300 228
Sussex Bat Hospital in Hurstpierpoint - 01273 833258
Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital in Chichester - 01243 641672

Can I call my local vet?

Yes . If the bat is in desperate need of medical attention, please try calling your nearest emergency vet. Many vets treat injured wildlife for free as part of their ethical responsibility to help animals in need. However, this isn't a universal policy, so call them before you set off.

Click here to find a vet.

If the bat was found resting in a loft, under roofing tiles/felt or in another crevice, it is probably healthy and roosting there. You MUST leave it alone. To disturb a healthy, roosting bat is a criminal offence. If unsure, contact your local bat group or an ecologist for advice.