As the new school year approaches, it’s important to know how to stay safe on campus–including how to handle encounters with wild animals. Rabies is a rare but serious disease that can be prevented by taking the right steps if you have close contact with animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes.
If you find a bat inside your home or residence hall, follow these simple steps:
- Safely leave the room and close the door behind you.
- Never try to catch a bat yourself—arrange for the bat to be captured by trained professionals. On-campus (U-M residence halls): Notify your hall director right away, and contact the Plant Operations Call Center at 734-647-2059 for pest removal.
- Off-campus housing: Contact your landlord to arrange for an animal control contractor to capture the bat and have it tested for rabies.
- If you believe you may have been bitten, scratched, or exposed to bat saliva, please contact University Health Service immediately (734-764-8320, available 24 hours a day). They will provide guidance on whether you need treatment and your next steps.
- Even if you’re not sure exposure occurred (for example, if you wake up and find a bat in your room), err on the safe side and get advice from UHS.
Thank you for doing your part to keep yourself and the U-M community safe!