Help! I have a bat in a box....

[oggsfrog]

...and don't know what to do for the best.

One of the cats must have brought it in. We found it late this afternoon and don't know how badly injured it is. It looks okay apart from a small hole in one wing and a bit of blood on it's side/wing.
I tried to release it by putting it on top of the chicken run (I know they need to drop/swoop to fly and can't just take off), but it fell to the floor then climbed up my leg. I didn't want to leave it for the cats to get again so I brought it back in.
I've got it in a large shoe box. There is a flannel on the bottom and I stapled another flannel around a log and draped another flannel over top. The bat is now hanging from end of log under flannel.
I've put a bit of cat food in with it.

What do I do next? Don't want to put it out only for a cat to get it again.

call the rspca they're protected aren't they

There are bat rescue organisations in some areas, failing that any wildlife rescue centre should be able to help you. Try to avoid handling it if possible.

bless, you are doing a great job.

I would leave it in the box till morning, so it can calm down and gaina bit of strength. If its still alive then, I would take it to the nearest vets, who will inform the right people.

Had this prob with various little beasties over the yrs.

It might die of shock, but it might not.

Ring this no 0845 1300 228

They do bite and can carry various diseases, but, not rabies in this county surely.

There have been VERY RARE cases of bats carrying rabies in this country. That is why I said not to handle it if possible but didn't want to alarm you as you have already touched it.

RSPCA, animal shelter or wildlife org asap, take their advice

SOme bats are protected species and very very rare

Dont handle until you get advice from professional (for fear of bite/hurting bat - not rabies!)

Have phoned the Bat Conservation Trust but their office hours are 9:00 - 5:30.

I'm doing what they say on their website, but I suppose I just want reassuring that I'm doing everything I can.

I didn't read the bits about not touching it until after I'd tried to release it and it had crawled up my leg. I picked it off and carried it back into the house on my jumper (it crawled right round the back of my neck then snuggled into the jumper near my armpit ).

It's so tiny. I hope it survives.

aww bless, new pet??

Am I the only one shuddering at the idea of a BAT crawling up your back? Even a small and cute one?

It is very sweet .

I'm just worried that if it is bitten then it will need antibiotics.
There's nothing else I can do tonight. The nearest vet is about 40 miles away, and the nearest SSPCA is probably over 100 miles away.

with you Effie - only it's worse than that - it crawled up her LEG!

It made a cute chirruping sound...

Sounds like the bat has a proud new owner- I can definitely smell bonding

I can smell BAT. Ugh.

what is a bat actually - I mean is it a rat with wings?

We had a bat knock itself out on our front door once. I put it in a jar with some muslin over the top until it came round, fed it some catfood from my little finger, which it promptly bit! After much shaking and squealing,me not the bat, it let go.

We "stuck" it to the side of the house at dusk and it flew off, seemingly OK.

It's a mammal. I think the one I've got is a Pipistrelle which is the most common

Is it smiling?

It's hiding.
I want to check it, but don't want to disturb it. Think the cat food will be enough or should I put some water in there too?

Yes it needs water.

We had this once and the bat people came and got it the next morning. They told us overnight to put a small saucer of water in with it. Take the cat food out, it won't eat it and should manage ok without food for one night.

I googled for a local bat society when we got ours and rang them even though it was this time in the evening, they were very helpful. Put a couple of air holes in the box.