How licensed bat rehabilitators care for injured and orphaned bats and what welfare standards govern their handling and release.
Bat rehabilitation welfare centres on minimising handling stress while providing the medical and nutritional support needed for recovery. Bats are among the most stress-sensitive species in rehabilitation - their small body mass and high metabolic rate mean that prolonged handling can cause fatal physiological stress within minutes. Skilled rehabilitators use the shortest handling time possible, appropriate housing that allows minimal human contact during recovery and species-appropriate environmental conditions including appropriate temperature and humidity. Release decisions that prioritise the bat's welfare over the satisfying narrative of a successful recovery include euthanasia for animals with injuries that preclude flight, feeding or echolocation.