BAT BILL UPDATE
Thanks to all of our amazing supporters who wrote in support of SB 1285, our bat Bill was sent for hearing! Senate Bill 1285, as filed by Senator Sarah Eckhardt of Austin, seeks to establish non-lethal exclusion as the ONLY acceptable way to remove bat colonies from buildings.
Our original Bill language recommended that exclusions should NOT occur during the bat’s maternity season (May through August). However, a proposed revision of the bill was submitted just days before the hearing. The new language allows exclusions in occupied buildings during maternity season. We expressed serious concerns about the proposed revision during our testimony in Austin, Texas, on April 14th, as well as other bat experts who provided testimony regarding the language in the revised Bill. Click here to watch our testimony (starts at 56:30 exactly). Bat World MidCities, Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN), Austin Bat Refuge, Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation (MTBC) and Swift River Pecans also testified.
Our Bill is now out of Committee and is intended to be brought to the floor for debate and a vote. We have proposed changes to the Bill to include that non-lethal exclusions from buildings should be the ONLY acceptable way to remove bats from buildings – whether occupied or not, and are now waiting to see if our changes will be accepted. However, even if the Bill passes as is, bats will have more protection than they did in years prior. Please keep your fingers crossed for our precious bats! (Pictured above, L to R: Melissa Donnelly, MTBC; Cindy Smiley, THLN; Amanda Lollar, BWS, providing testimony in support of SB 1285.)
THE HUMANE BEINGS
The Humane Beings is a non-profit charity that not only raises funds for Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries verified/accredited sanctuaries, but personally comes to these facilities to volunteer their time towards projects for the sanctuary. Our semi-outdoor flight enclosure was in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint, which it had not had in years. It was one of those projects that always got pushed aside due to the busy nature of our work. The wonderful folks at the Humane Beings spent a weekend volunteering with us, taking on the task of getting the new paint down!
The enclosure looks absolutely phenomenal, and thanks to their support it is one more big project we can check off our ever growing to-do list. The team also assisted with our daily fruit bat and kitchen chores, and we had a wonderful time teaching them all about bats! You can check out The Humane Beings and follow their visit to Bat World on their Instagram and Facebook pages!
MATCHING GRANT FUNDRAISER FOR THE ORPHANS!
Our wonderful supporter, Cheryl White, has once again created a $1,000.00 matching grant fundraiser for us to help with the upcoming orphan bat season! This funding will help immensely towards purchasing formula, additional incubators, and other much-needed items for the months to come. Thank you so, so much Cheryl, we’re already getting orphan bat calls! You can donate to help us reach this goal through the Facebook fundraiser. Click here to donate via our website.
BATTY
This sweet little bat was rescued just in time after being stuck in a warehouse with no food and water to be found. He was quickly transported to our sanctuary for care, and on arrival was critically dehydrated, emaciated, and lethargic. After weeks of care he is finally in the clear, and almost ready to spread his wings again! Soon, he’ll be released back into the wild where he can rejoin his colony.
H-E-B FOOD GRANT!
We are very excited to announce that we received a $6,000 grant in the form of gift cards to provide food for the sanctuary bats!
For over 115 years, H-E-B has contributed to worthy causes throughout Texas and Mexico, and they continue to support our community as strongly as ever.
This grant will keep the fruit bats in melons, mangos and other fruits for several delicious months!
