BCT Bat Care Network
- BCT has a list of bat carers/ambulance drivers, regional helplines and wildlife hospitals throughout the UK known as the UK Bat Care Network. This is a network of volunteers that may be able to provide guidance and assistance to those who have found an injured or grounded bat in order to give the bat in question the best chance to be rehabilitated and released back into the wild.
- In 2015 BCT responded to over 15,400 enquiries, and 54% of that total figure related to bats in distress and in need of assistance. The number of bat care enquiries continues to increase annually. During peak times in the summer, the helpline can take over 300 calls about injured or grounded bats per week. As of August 2016, the Network had over 400 bat care contacts.
- In areas where there are no bat carers available BCT advises callers to take any bats found directly to a local vet and suggest that the vet call the Helpline (0345 1300 228) for information if they are not familiar with bats.
- More information is available on 0345 1300 228 or enquiries@bats.org.uk.
Bat care fundraising
- For those involved with bat care, generating the funds to acquire equipment can be difficult. Local bat groups and networks are hugely beneficial in providing support and advice but there are also additional options to consider for fundraising of required resources.
- Members of the public may be interested in donating to bat care following help with a bat or after contact with a local carer. The list below presents several ideas that build on this interest from the public. These options assume that no contact/group is a registered charity:
- Dedicated care pages on social media can be excellent for generating awareness around the local community and offer an easy way for updates to be conveyed to a large audience i.e. a successful release of a bat in care.
- Online wishlists such as Amazon can be utilised and allow contributions in the form of equipment to be provided directly. They also allow the donator to choose how they help i.e. a tub of mealworms or a small flexarium cage.
- Public events/bat walks can offer an opportunity for face to face awareness raising and discussion about donations and how they are used.
- Merchandising, if affordable to invest in, can be a great way to spread awareness and raise funds, for example t-shirts, mugs and silicone bands.
- Stamp recycling is a small funder as the stamps are sold per kilo, but can be an easy way to get people involved and does not require huge amounts of effort to obtain.
- Easy fundraising is an online resource where donations go towards a good cause and the applier does not need to be a registered charity. http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/
- Sponsoring a bat provides an opportunity for the public to feel more directly involved. It may involve donating a small amount to help in the care of a rescued bat, and in return the member of the public chooses a name for the bat.
- Supermarket schemes are often run after store openings or during certain months to promote local causes for the community and may consider promoting bat care.
This is not an exhaustive list, rather it is designed to provide some suggestions of ways in which fundraising can be achieved if required. It is possible that several approaches may work together. Ethics and Health & safety should always be considered when using photographs/resources that will be seen by the general public.