The Facts about White Nose Syndrome

It was announced by the Wisconsin DNR on Wednesday that White Nose Syndrome was found in bats in an Iowa cave less than 30 miles from the Wisconsin border. You might be asking yourself, “Why should I care about bats? What does it matter if they have white noses?” No matter your personal opinion on bats, White Nose Syndrome is a pandemic affecting bats across the country. Bats are an integral part of our ecosystem, and their health (believe it or not) has a direct impact on the human population.

Photo Credit: wvdnr.org

What is White Nose Syndrome?

White Nose Syndrome is an illness affecting bats caused by a fungus (Geomyces destructans) that originated in European caves. Bats in Europe have evolved and co-existed with the fungus and therefore are not sickened by it, but bats in the US were caught off-guard when the fungus arrived here. The fungus was first discovered in the United States in New York caves in about 2006, and at that time it killed about half of the wintering population of bats in affected caves.

The name White Nose Syndrome refers to the white growth that appears on a bats’ nose when they are infected by the fungus. Fortunately the disease cannot be spread to humans, but it can be spread bat to bat and also spread to other caves by mechanical equipment. Right now six species of American bats are susceptible to WNS, and the mortality rate is estimated to be between 90 and 100 percent.

What happens to a bat infected with White Nose Syndrome?

Hibernating bats infected with White Nose Syndrome will have their hibernation cycle affected. A normal hibernating bat will awaken every 10-20 days, but a bat with WNS will wake up every 3-4 days. About 90% of the bats will die of starvation, due to awakening so frequently to eat/drink and the shortage of insects to eat during the winter months. The fungus also damages their connective tissues, muscles and skin.

How is White Nose Syndrome cured?

Herein lies the problem…as of now, it cannot be cured. Scientists are still not totally clear on what this fungus is, or how it sickens the bats.

Photo credit: mosquitoworld.net

How does White Nose Syndrome affect me?

Bats are of critical importance to our ecosystem. A single Little Brown Bat can eat over half of its weight in insects every night, and nursing mothers can eat their entire body weight's worth! If our ecosystem suffers a swift decline in the bat population, one can only imagine the population explosion of bugs humans will have to contend with. Here in Wisconsin, this will likely mean an increase in the number of mosquitoes we’ll be left to fend off. Bats tend to eat night-flying insects, so moths and beetle numbers would also increase. An increase in moths and beetles is a major blow to farmers. With more moths and beetles eating their crops, more pesticides will need to be employed—and the increased cost will inevitably trickle down to the consumer. Natural control of insects via the bat population saves the agriculture industry millions of dollars every year. In addition to the increased cost, an increased use of chemical pesticides will lead to more soil and water contamination affecting humans and wildlife for years to come.

What can I do to help?

Consider planting a wildflower garden! You can help our bats survive by planting flowers that attract their prey insects.  In addition to providing prey for bats, you will also attract beneficial bugs like ladybugs to help control aphids and other pests in your vegetable garden.

Buy a bat house! Providing bats a place to roost will help colonies to thrive, literally right in your own backyard. (As a side note, be certain to never ever handle bats: if you think you’ve seen a live or dead bat with WNS, contact the DNR immediately.)

Consider donating to the bat conservation effort! White Nose Syndrome is spreading quickly, and there is still no cure. Bats populations are expected to decline greatly, and some species may even face extinction if a cure for WNS cannot be found soon. Bat Conservation International is a great organization to support financially, and have many donation options available. If you like to donate more locally, consider becoming a member of Bat Conservation of Wisconsin.

Tell your family and friends! Never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth. Tell your family and friends about White Nose Syndrome, and explain to them the impact of this horrible illness. The more people that are behind this very important cause, the better chance we'll have of finding a cure and saving our native bat populations.

What can we do about bad Wisconsin dog breeders?

Did you know that as of June 1, 2011, all dog sellers and facilities that sell 25 dogs or more from more than 3 litters (including rescues and shelters) must be licensed and comply with the standards of care established in ATCP 16? This law "requires inspection and licensing of many dog breeders, dealers, and sellers, as well as shelters and rescues that foster and adopt out dogs. The new law also prohibits selling puppies less than 7 weeks old unless they go with their mothers, and requires that certificates of veterinary inspection – health certificates – accompany dogs that are sold or adopted for a fee. The intent is to protect the welfare of dogs and to protect consumers who buy or adopt them." (Source: Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association.)

A dalmation at Pretty Penny Kennels in Plymouth, WI (Learn more here)
Photo Credit: Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project

Unfortunately, there are still many "backyard breeders" and "puppy mills" that fly under the radar of ATCP 16. Whether they sell puppies from the back of a truck, from a barn, or with the help of online classifieds websites like Craigslist, it is important to understand that no law can fully prevent disingenuous breeders from continuing bad breeding practices. Many dogs that comes from these bad breeding operations have health and/or behavioral issues, may not have had life-saving vaccinations, and have not been spayed or neutered. 

Of course not all dog breeders are bad! There are many honest, caring and law-abiding breeders in the state of Wisconsin that do their best to breed well-tempered, genetically sound and healthy pups. But how do you know if the breeder you're working with is reputable? How do you know they have their dogs' best interests in mind? That's where the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Comes in. They maintain a database of all licensed dog breeders in the state of Wisconsin, which is searchable by name, county and even other US states. These breeders have all been licensed and agree to comply with the regulations under ATCP 16. Before you purchase a new dog or puppy, check this list!

So what do you do if you come across a "bad breeder"? What if you know someone who is thwarting this important piece of state legislation? What if you come across a repeat Craigslist offender? Or what if a breeder appears on the DATCP list, but isn't following the standards of care required of them in ATCP 16? As a pet lover and citizen of Wisconsin, it is important that you report these types of breeders to DATCP for further investigation. The only way we can put a stop to puppy mills and bad breeding in the state of Wisconsin is to turn over offenders and make them accountable for their choices. Together we can keep our state and our beloved dogs safe, happy and healthy!

For more info about ATCP 16 and dog breeders in Wisconsin, please visit The Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project.

Letters/emails still desperately needed for Assembly Bill 793!

An Assembly public hearing was held on Thursday, March 11, 2010 for Assembly Bill 793, but the bill has not yet passed out of Committee. The Senate public hearing will be held on 6 April. Your letters are urgently needed!

This bill would help shelters, animal control facilities, and local governments cope with the thousands upon thousands of dollars incurred in a large seizure or cruelty case. It would also help lessen stress on the animals by reducing the time they must spend in shelter cages.

Write or email your local representative to make sure we get this bill passed! Find contact info for representatives here.

For more information about Assembly Bill 793, see this previous post.