27/10/2026
🦇⚠️ IMPORTANT PET SAFETY ALERT: STARVING BATS, FLYING-FOXES & RABIES-RELATED VIRUS RISK 🐾
There is currently a significant food shortage affecting flying-foxes across parts of NSW, with increasing reports of starving, sick and exhausted bats.
With natural food sources scarce, flying-foxes are being found in backyards, resting in trees during the day and, in some cases, becoming too weak to fly.
Unfortunately, this also increases the chance of our curious cats and dogs coming into contact with them. 💔
🚨 WHY SHOULD PET OWNERS BE CONCERNED?
Australian bats can carry Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV), a virus closely related to rabies. Although infection is rare, it can cause a fatal disease in humans and animals.
The current starvation event is not being attributed to ABLV, but the risk of infection following contact with an infected bat remains.
🐶🐱 HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOUR PETS?
✅ Keep cats indoors and supervise your dogs when outside.
✅ Check your backyard for bats before allowing your pets outside.
✅ Never allow your pet to sniff, lick, bite, carry or play with a bat.
✅ If your pet has any contact with a bat — even if there is no obvious bite or scratch — contact your veterinarian immediately for advice.
🚫 NEVER TOUCH OR PICK UP A BAT YOURSELF, even if it appears dead or is lying helplessly on the ground. Keep children and pets well away.
💉 IMPORTANT NEWS FROM GREENCROSS COREEN AVENUE
We are now stocking rabies vaccine for cats and dogs who may have been exposed to Australian bat lyssavirus.
If your pet has had contact with a bat, please contact our team promptly. Our veterinarians can assess the situation and advise on the appropriate next steps, including the required NSW DPI approval for post-exposure vaccination.
🩹 WHAT IF A PERSON IS BITTEN OR SCRATCHED?
Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, apply an antiseptic if available and seek urgent medical attention. Do not delay seeking care.
🦇 FOUND A SICK, INJURED OR GROUNDED BAT?
Please contact a trained wildlife rescuer rather than attempting to help it yourself.
📞 Sydney Wildlife Rescue: 02 9413 4300
📞 WIRES Wildlife Rescue: 1300 094 737
📞 NSW Health: 1300 066 055
💚 We want to protect both our beloved pets and our precious native wildlife. A little awareness can make a huge difference.
Please share this post to help keep our community informed and our furry family members safe. 🐾
Greencross Coreen Avenue Veterinary Hospital
