Monday, May 17, 2010

See you at the bat clinic

Yes, I came home to a bat flying around the house. It scared my socks off, since it flew right at my head as I was coming up the stairs with a load of laundry. I'm quite accustomed to catching mice in a jar and taking them outside, but I've only caught one bat before this one, and it was asleep.

First I locked Harry up downstairs. I know he was chasing it, but I also think he was scared of it--he was acting weird. He's got his rabies jabs, so I guess he's okay. But I was sleeping with it in the house last night, and I don't have my rabies jabs.

So anyway, I got a towel wet and proceeded to go find it. It was large, and brown, and hiding between the bedspread on the guest bed and the wall. I had to pull the spread out slowly, and then quickly cover the thing in the towel. Then I was like, "what now?" It made all kinds of clicks. After I got the courage up, I scooped the towel into the bucket and closed it. Poor thing is probably dead already, if not from suffocation, then from shock. I feel terrible--bats eat bugs, after all!

Then I called animal control--maybe I should get it tested for rabies? I mean, just in case? Guy on phone very unhelpful. Looks like a call will have to be made tomorrow to Montague Health Department. Probably nothing to worry about--but I suppose I'm not quite ready to contract rabies and die.

2 comments:

Joe said...

Definitely think you should get it tested for rabies. A bat that's crazy enough to come near human habitation - not to mention inside - is a rabies risk...

We were lucky enough that we only had a bird in the apartment, not a bat. Birds are quite a bit safer :) More of a rescue the poor thing from Maggie, Mocha, and Gizmo rather than concern about health...

Unknown said...

Well, health department here is taking their sweet time getting back to me--I left a note and a phone message. Yes, three cats makes for some scared critters!