  Bats are amazing! They are the only mammal capable of true flight and are incredibly important to our environment and even our economy. As all bats eat insects, they are vital in controlling pest populations. One bat can eat more than 3,000 insects in one night and this ravenous appetite for bugs saves all agricultural production more than 3 billion dollars in pesticide costs each year. Bats are also helpful in pollinating plants and dispersing seeds and are the sole pollinator for the agave plant (the main ingredient in tequila).
Unfortunately, bat numbers throughout the world are decreasing due to human activity and disease. Celebrate bat appreciation week this week and help bats by:
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Sharing information on how bats are amazing and beneficial.
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Turning off unnecessary lights outside because bats do best in a dark environment.
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Avoiding the use of pesticides.
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Installing a bat box, ideally 10-20 feet high, away from lights and preferably in a location with a lot of direct morning sunlight. Bat boxes are available for purchase online or there are videos on how to make a bat box if you’re the handy type.
According to the Illinois Department of Health, “All Illinois bats are protected under the Wildlife Code 520 ILCS 5/1.1. Bats may not be shot, trapped, transported, or held in confinement except when a bat is found in an area where they may have contact with humans or domestic pets.”
Please check out this link to find out what should be done if a bat is found in a house.
Since bats can carry diseases (such as rabies) that are fatal to humans and other mammals, it’s important to NEVER touch a bat. Teaching this to children is very important to avoid potential exposure. If someone does touch a bat or if a bat is found inside a living space, it's critical to immediately contact the police department or local health department so Animal Control can send the bat out for rabies testing. In 2021 DuPage County had 5 bats test positive for rabies, so please keep your cats, dogs, and ferrets current on their rabies vaccination. Even indoor pets need vaccine protection as bats can fit through small holes to access inside the home.
In summary, bats should not be handled but their presence should be respected for how amazing and incredibly beneficial they are to our environment.
 Dr. Barbara Hanek,
Veterinarian Administrator
Many of our adoptable animals came to the shelter as stray, lost pets. Some show signs of wildlife encounters, while others like Isla, show just how hard it can be for pets out in the wild. Isla came to us severely underweight, perhaps from being on her own for a while. She needed to gain a lot of weight before we could even do her necessary surgery to get her ready for adoption.
Because she needed to gain so much weight first, Isla's been waiting far too long for her happy ending and she's hoping for a family that's worth the wait. This two year old is all the best parts of a husky - fun, playful, social, and lovable. She sings the song of her people when she's excited especially when she's meeting new friends, both human and canine! Isla has never met a cat. Isla would make a perfect companion to almost any home.
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Every day, DCAS gets dozens of calls from residents with concerns about wildlife. Whether it's an issue with animals being a nuisance or residents worried about an injured animal, the front desk staff provides resources and guidance for all of it. And on Saturdays, volunteer Beverly is right beside them answering the phones and helping process adoption applications.
Beverly has been volunteering for DuPage County Animal Services since October 2021. She is a big believer in giving back through service. In addition to DCAS, Beverly volunteers for the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Previously she volunteered for the Village of Carol Stream and G&D Property Management. At DCAS, Beverly enjoys doing her part to help animals find their forever homes. She especially appreciates the four-legged office supervisors who keep everyone on task.
We could not do everything we do without our volunteers. People like Beverly make a real difference in our community by helping the staff reach more people and pets in need. Click on Beverly and Ringo's picture to see open volunteer positions and apply today!
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Join us at 7pm select Thursday nights all year long! Follow the links provided to register.
Are You Ready for a Rabbit? – April 7, 2022 7pm-8pm
Are you thinking of adding a bun to your family? Get all the info you need to be a great bunny parent! Understand how to best house, feed, and interact with a rabbit so you are prepared.
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3hysAa3
Basic Pet First Aid – April 21, 2022 7pm-8pm
Learn how to tend to your pet in a crisis. This presentation will cover preventative care, how to treat wounds, broken bones, choking, and more.
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3IFocSl
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