Let Wildlife Be Wild and Learn How to Be Safe During World Rabies Day

Published on September 28, 2022

By Carol Weemes, Arlington Animal Services

What do you do if you see a bat on the ground? Be safe, and do not touch it! Bats are carriers of the deadly rabies virus. It is best to contact Animal Services or a qualified bat rehabilitator, such at Bat World Sanctuary if you see a bat on the ground or in a place it should not be found.

A bat’s natural response to someone attempting to touch or hold it might be to bite, and it is not worth the risk. Let wildlife be wild. A healthy but fearful bat being handled by someone may bite, resulting in the bat needing to be euthanized and tested for rabies.

On the positive side, bats are amazing creatures and very beneficial for the environment. They eat pesky mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that “some small bats can catch up to 1,000 or more small insects in a single hour." Learn more about bats in a Calculate the Value of Bats USDA publication. 

World Rabies Day is September 28. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA) offers information about World Rabies Day and more education about rabies.

What can you to protect against rabies?

• Vaccinate your pet(s) against rabies and keep their shots current. Texas Coalition for Animal Protection offers low-cost pet vaccines.
• Let wildlife be wild. Do not approach or attempt to touch wildlife, especially if it is behaving strangely (typically nocturnal animals out in the daytime, or any that appear to be sick, etc.)
• Learn more from the AMVA video, Rabies: Simple Steps Save Lives