You should never handle wild animals, including bats. Unfortunately, you cannot tell if a mammal is rabid and thus should never be touched with a bare hand. If someone ever finds a bat on the ground, the best thing to do is leave the bat where it is. It is most likely resting from exhaustion, learning how to fly, or is sick, in which all cases, should be left alone. You can then call your local health department or wildlife rehabilitator

If a bat must be handled (because children are near), take necessary precautions with heavy leather work gloves or a towel to scoop the bat up and move it to a safe place (i.e. in the woods away from people).

If you get bit by the bat or know that someone did, you must contact your local health department immediately! Although few bats have rabies it is a deadly disease and a human that is bit needs to be seen by a doctor immediately!

If you are a rehabilitator and need help caring for the bat, check out Bats in Captivity written by Susan Bernard of Basically Bats.

If you found an injured or orphaned bat and are not a licensed rehabilitator, you need to contact a rehabilitator in your state. Please check out this rehabilitator list compiled by Susan Bernard of Basically Bats to find help near you. Good luck and thanks for taking the extra time to help!