Burbank Animal Shelter Safety Reminder: Never Touch Bats

The Burbank Animal Shelter would like to remind all residents and community members to stay away from bats. Never touch or pick up a bat. If you come across a deceased bat, please contact your local animal control agency for assistance. Burbank Animal Control can be reached at (818) 238-3340. You can also contact your local Health Department for more information on what to do or who to contact if you come across a bat. Additional safety measures:

• Never touch a bat with bare hands: Bats are naturally wary of people and shy animals. Bat bites can transmit rabies to people and can be deadly. A bat that lets you touch it may be sick. If you see a bat, do not touch it. Wash bites immediately and talk to your doctor. Contact your health department for a rabies risk consultation.
• Keep bats out of your home: Bat proof your home. Secure all potential openings. If you find a bat in your home, exit, close off the room and call the health department or animal control. Do not release the bat. If safe to do so, place a bucket or box over the bat to contain it. Never touch a bat with bare hands.
• Keep pets safe from rabies: Make sure pets are up to date with a rabies vaccine. If you find a sick or dead bat, keep pets away to minimize the possibility of rabies exposure.
• Bats are protected wildlife: It is illegal for members of the public to kill, harm, or keep a bat. Bats are an important part of the ecosystem.

For more information, please visit burbankanimalshelter.org