Report an Injured Bat
To report an injured bat in Monterey County, call the SPCA Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center at (831) 264-5427.
If a person or pet has been bitten, scratched, or exposed to the bat's saliva, immediately contact Monterey County Hitchcock Animal Services at (831) 769-8850 or dial 911 in an emergency.
Steps to Take Based on Exposure
If the bat has NOT bitten anyone:
Do not touch it with bare hands.
Use a towel or thick gloves to safely pick it up and place it on the trunk of a nearby tree so it can cling and fly away.
If it cannot cling to the tree, place it gently inside a ventilated, escape-proof box lined with a soft cloth. Keep the box in a warm, dark, quiet place overnight, and call the SPCA in the morning.
If a human or pet WAS bitten or exposed:
Do not handle or attempt to rescue the bat yourself.
Contact public health or Monterey County Hitchcock Animal Services at (831) 769-8850 right away, as bats can carry rabies.
