Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries Standards For Bat Sanctuaries Version: June 2013 ©2012 Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries – Standards for Bat Sanctuaries Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 GFAS PRINCIPLES ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 ANIMALS COVERED BY THESE STANDARDS ............................................................................................ 1 STANDARDS UPDATES……………………………………………………………………………………2 BAT STANDARDS ........................................................................................................................................................ 2 BAT HOUSING ................................................................................................................. 2 H-1. Types of Space and Size .......................................................................................................................................................2 H-2. Containment.....................................................................................................................................................................................4 H-3. Ground and Plantings ...............................................................................................................................................................5 H-4. Gates and Doors ...........................................................................................................................................................................6 H-5. Shelter ...................................................................................................................................................................................................7 H-6. Enclosure Furniture ....................................................................................................................................................................7 H-7. Sanitation ...........................................................................................................................................................................................8 H-8. Temperature, Humidity, Ventilation, Lighting ................................................................................................. 10 PHYSICAL FACILITIES AND ADMINISTRATION ........................................... 11 PF-1. Overall Safety of Facilities .............................................................................................................................................. 11 PF-2. Water Drainage and Testing ......................................................................................................................................... 12 PF-3. Life Support ................................................................................................................................................................................. 12 PF-4. Hazardous Materials Handling ..................................................................................................................................... 12 PF-5. Security: Bat Enclosures .................................................................................................................................................. 13 PF-6. Perimeter Boundary and Inspections, and Maintenance ...................................................................... 13 PF-7. Security: General Safety Monitoring ..................................................................................................................... 14 PF-8. Insect and Rodent Control .............................................................................................................................................. 14 PF-9. Record Keeping ........................................................................................................................................................................ 14 PF-10. Animal Transport ................................................................................................................................................................. 16 NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................. 17 N-1. Water ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 N-2. Diet ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 18 N-3. Food Presentation and Feeding Techniques ...................................................................................................... 20 N-4. Food Storage ................................................................................................................................................................................ 21 N-5. Food Handling .............................................................................................................................................................................. 22 VETERINARY CARE ..................................................................................................... 23 V-1. General Medical Program and Staffing ................................................................................................................... 23 V-2. On-Site and Off-Site Veterinary Facilities ............................................................................................................ 23 V-3. Preventative Medicine Program .................................................................................................................................... 24 V-4. Diagnostic Services, Surgical, Treatment and Necropsy Facilities................................................. 25 V-5. Quarantine and Isolation of Bats ................................................................................................................................ 26 i Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries – Standards for Bat Sanctuaries V-6. Medical Records and Controlled Substances ..................................................................................................... 27 V-7. Breeding/Contraception....................................................................................................................................................... 28 V-8. Zoonotic Disease Program ................................................................................................................................................ 29 WELL-BEING AND HANDLING OF BATS ............................................................ 29 W-1. Physical Well-Being ................................................................................................................................................................ 29 W-2. Social Housing ............................................................................................................................................................................ 30 W-3. Introduction of Unfamiliar Individuals ................................................................................................................... 32 W-4. Behavioral and Psychological Well-Being ........................................................................................................... 32 W-5. Bat-Caregiver Relationships ........................................................................................................................................... 33 W-6. Handling and Restraint ....................................................................................................................................................... 34 STAFFING ........................................................................................................................ 35 GENERAL STAFFING .............................................................................................................................................. 35 S-1. General Staffing Considerations .................................................................................................................................. 35 S-2. Security and Emergency Coverage ........................................................................................................................... 35 S-3. Volunteer and Internship Programs .......................................................................................................................... 35 S-4. Manuals.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 36 S-5. Employee Training and Continuing Education ................................................................................................. 36 SAFETY POLICIES, PROTOCOLS And TRAINING ............................................................................... 37 S-6. Communication System ...................................................................................................................................................... 37 S-7. Emergency Response Plans and Protocols .........................................................................................................