Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) recently confirmed that a bat found near the intersection of South San Rafael Avenue and Nithsdale Road, close to the San Rafael Branch Library, tested positive for rabies. While no human rabies cases have been reported and officials say the overall risk to the public remains low, this is a clear reminder to avoid any direct contact with bats in the Pasadena area.
Rabid bats are most often identified in Los Angeles County during the warmer months, from summer into early fall. United Bat Control fully supports PPHD’s guidance and encourages Pasadena residents to treat all bats with caution and to keep their distance.
Health officials emphasize that community members should never touch bats—whether they appear healthy, injured, or dead. Any injured, sick, or dead bat should be reported immediately to local animal control or public health authorities so it can be safely collected and tested for rabies.
Rabies is a life-threatening disease. It can be transmitted through the bite or even a scratch from the tiny teeth of an infected bat, and it poses a risk to both people and pets. If your skin comes into contact with a bat:
* Wash the area right away with soap and water
* Contact your medical provider or urgent care immediately
* If a pet may have been exposed, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital at once
If you see a dead or dying bat on the ground in Pasadena, do **not** pick it up. Contact Pasadena Humane at (626) 792-7151 so trained personnel can safely handle the animal and arrange testing.
### When to Call United Bat Control
Public health and animal control agencies should be contacted for bite/exposure situations and rabies testing. United Bat Control steps in when:
* You see bats flying in and out of your roofline, attic, chimney, or walls
* You’ve found a bat inside your home or business
* You suspect a bat colony may be roosting in your building
Our technicians use humane bat exclusion methods to remove bats from structures and seal entry points so they cannot return—protecting your family, customers, and pets while also respecting the important ecological role bats play.
If you have bats in your Pasadena home or commercial building, contact United Bat Control at **1-866-747-2287** or email **[contact@unitedbatcontrol.com](mailto:contact@unitedbatcontrol.com)** to schedule a professional inspection and bat removal service. For general rabies information, you can also visit the CDC Rabies website.