Bat World Sanctuary was founded in 1994 as a rescue-rehabilitation center and sanctuary operated exclusively for bats. The organization is volunteer staffed and donation supported. The sanctuary provides medical treatment for hundreds of injured and orphaned bats each year, with 80% saved and returned to the wild. Mission objectives are;
- Rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned bats.
- To provide a permanent sanctuary for non-releasable bats.
- Promoting the humane treatment of captive bats in zoo and research environments.
- Protecting wild bat colonies from abuse and destruction.
- Promoting bat conservation through education.
- Increasing public awareness about safety issues regarding the inappropriate handling of bats.
The Texas based organization has fifteen satellite affiliates around the U.S. for local rescue operations and is in the process of opening more branches. Bat World Sanctuary has been recognized as the world leader in bat rehabilitation for the past decade. Each year they rescue thousands of bats that might otherwise die and engage in activism to end the abuse and destruction of bats. Lifetime sanctuary is given to non-releasable bats, including those that are orphaned, injured, confiscated from the illegal pet trade and retired from zoos and research facilities. Bat World Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
