These guidelines, which have been prepared by a working party of the Bat Conservation Trust, are directed towards those who find or are presented with injured/diseased or orphaned bats. Should the animals be treated and released, killed humanely or kept in permanent captivity? The legal, moral and practical aspects of these questions are dealt with. It is clearly pointed out that it is sometimes necessary to humanely kill badly injured animals; that release back into the wild is only justifiable if the animal is truly recovered from its injury/disease and that retention of the animal in permanent captivity should only be attempted when there is a reasonable chance that the bat will enjoy a decent lifestyle. This is a very realistic and useful leaflet.