BCT appeals to supporters to keep Out of Hours Emergency Helpline running

After taking four times as many calls as last year about grounded, injured and abandoned baby bats whilst facing funding cuts the National Bat Helpline faces the most challenging time in its history.

The Bat Helpline gives concerned callers the advice they need to save bats found injured or abandoned. Bat Helpline staff arrange for volunteer bat carers to carry out emergency call outs and for volunteers to visit bat roosts giving homeowners guidance on how to look after their bats.

Late at night or early in the morning volunteers man our Bat Helpline on the Out of Hours Emergency Service, providing help and advice when bats and people need it most. But the Bat Helpline's Out of Hours Emergency Service is under threat after losing vital government funding needed to support volunteers. The Out of Hours Emergency Service has been sustained but with an increasing number of calls and less funding the future is uncertain. Last year volunteers handled over 1000 calls saving hundreds of bats' lives and identifying new roosts which can be better protected in the future. This year more calls have been taken than ever before, new roosts are being discovered during building works, stray baby bats are being reunited with their mothers and injured bats are being rescued, rehabilitated and released.

You can donate online or text BCTS 05 £5 to 70070