Austin bat

The free-tailed bats are back in Austin!

Even with the Doppler radar out of commission, we know the free-tails are back because the phone’s been ringing off the hook all week! First-year pups returning from Mexico are ending up in unexpected places. This cutie was rescued from a downtown Austin office ceiling by Chantal. He’s fine, just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Check out those feet! He’s got whiskers between his toes and brushes on the sides.

Talk about bats getting in unexpected places, we even have some in our bat box!  We thought it would never happen!  This is the first time we’ve had bats since it was put up five years ago!  They are super fast coming out of the box; this photo just barely caught one leaving.
bat from bat house

Posted on , updated on by The Refuge

Our first Amplify Austin a big success!

Thank you donors! Our first Amplify Austin campaign was a big success! Thanks so much to all those who exemplified the “I Live Here, I Give Here” spirit, especially Individual Fundraiser Kyndal Irwin. Together we provided half a year’s food for Austin’s bats in need.

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Thanks to all our 2017 Bat Angels:
Bridget Robinson, Margret Hill, Fabiola Campos, Amanda Irwin, Nancy Ballard, Dean Wolf, Jennifer Whale, Amber Cho, Kate Asaff, Jodi Bade, Jenny Holt, Shelley Hodges, Theresa Waller, Christine Miller, Susan Brooks, Matthew Putzi, Katie Fike, Cindy Bogard, Laura Rayburn, Martin Selbrede, Rebecca Neel, Anne Zabolio, Monica Donner, Shanna Bogaty, Lauren Suspensky,  Betty Thoene, Ellie Watson, Carmen Garcia, Rory Hertzfeld, Michele Durovec, Dixie Davis, Deborah Daues, Christie Gardner, Robbie Nelson, Debbie Zent, Steve Reddick, Stephanie McCurley, and you seven anonymous secret bat admirers.
Posted on , updated on by The Refuge

Kindness Is Everything

The Flood family just became new members of the bat protection squad!
Thanks y’all for your act of compassion!

Here’s their post:

“We rescued this darling little Mexican Free-tailed bat earlier this evening as he was grounded in the middle of the road and nearly hit by several passing cars. We brought him home and called Lee and Diane at Austin Bat Refuge…they took him in and knew just what to do! 💕 Thankfully he had no broken bones and he seemed to be very healthy. Afer some TLC from Lee and Diane @ Austin Bat Refuge, it sounds like he’s going to be ok and will most likely be released back into the wild! 😊So thankful to them for all they do for these little guys… 💕If you ever find a grounded or injured bat, make sure to give them a call….and donate if you can! They have the biggest hearts for these little guys and do so much to house and care for the injured bats. Good people!!! Good cause!!! “

Posted on , updated on by The Refuge

Cold-stunned bats Released!

The strongest cold front in years blew through last week and bats in Austin suffered through the cold and windy nights.  Many fell, cold-stunned out of their roosts.  But kind-hearted people safely contained some and brought them to us for thawing, some bats every day for a week!  We filled their bellies with tasty mealworms and had the pleasure of sharing some Holiday spirit with them.   And last night it was finally warm enough to release many of them.
This little guy is your bat Jocelyn.  He’s a great bat and he would have died if you hadn’t cared enough to rescue him.  Thank You!
And thanks to Christie, Christina, Giselle, and Natalie stopping and taking the time to care for those bats you saved.  You are Heroes!

austin bat rescue release

Here’s Natalie’s bat flying off into the night to join the few thousand others overwintering under the Congress Avenue Bridge.
austin bat rescue release

 

Posted on , updated on by The Refuge