Bats in Santa Clarita – The Cat Doctor

With warm weather right around the corner, the bat population will increase in Santa Clarita. Could this be a concern? After all aren’t bats an essential part of the ecosystem by eating the many bugs that summer brings. Bats are protected wildlife and it is illegal to kill, harm or keep a bat. Bats are not aggressive creatures, but they will bite in self-defense. Bats can carry rabies, not every bat has rabies and those that do can act like perfectly normal bats. Rabies is a rare but very serious disease that affects the brain and is close to 100% fatal. Rabies is transmitted through the salvia of the bat and a break in the skin of the person/animal, or through the eyes, nose, or mouth. Most people think bats are blind – they are not blind! A bat is also not a bird or a rodent. It is classified as a Chiroptera and there are 1,200 different types of bats.
Our Santa Clarita Valley (including Stevenson Ranch and Castaic) makes up more than half the rabid bat population found in all of Los Angeles County in 2022. Out of the 50 rabid bats found, 32 rabid bats were found in our community. The Los Angeles County Veterinarians Office is responsible for testing, reporting and educating the public about bats. Reporting a found bat to the proper authorities is really important.
Don’t panic if you found a bat. Never touch a bat with your bare hands no matter if it is dead or alive. Teach your children to never touch bats and alert an adult. Place a bucket or box over the bat or if the bat is in your house close the door where it is located and call Castaic Animal Care and Control at (661)257-3191. Determine the extent of your family’s exposure to the bat. It is important to note that the actual bite from a bat can go undetected because the bite can be very small and shallow. Exposure to a bat inside (house/business) is the most concerning because you may not know how long the bat has been in there.
If you, your child, or pet had physical contact, call your veterinarian or physician. The doctors can give further instructions. If you, your child or pet have been bitten seek emergency medical attention immediately.
We want you to know how to react when a bat is found, how to report it, and importantly how to protect your family. One of the best ways to protect your family is by vaccinating your pet for rabies, even if strictly indoors. Each year in the U.S., approximately twice as many cats (about 250) are confirmed as rabid compared to all other domestic animals combined. To schedule an appointment at The Cat Doctor call 661-259-5288.