When a group of siblings went out to play in their backyard, the last thing they expected to find was a tiny, Hershey’s Kiss-sized animal hiding beneath their playhouse. Yet there, nestled under the structure, was a small, fluffy bat quietly clinging to a spot on the ground. What unfolded next is a gentle, uplifting story of kindness, quick thinking, and how a simple cardboard house became a symbol of care for one very lucky canyon bat.
The children quickly realized that the little animal was a grounded bat, which is unusual behavior for a wild bat that would normally be flying or roosting safely out of sight. Concerned for his safety, one sibling ran to get their mother while the others stayed close and spoke softly to the bat, hoping their presence might be comforting. Their mom, aware that bats can occasionally carry diseases like rabies, urged everyone to move back and keep a safe distance. She treated the situation seriously and responsibly, making sure no one attempted to handle the bat directly.
Knowing they needed expert help, the family called several places in search of guidance until they reached Hally Cokenias, a licensed wildlife rehabber and cofounder of Arizona Bat Rescue. Cokenias provided careful, specific instructions on how to keep the animal safe without putting the children or their parents at risk. The kids later recalled how their mom made everyone step back and how they contacted multiple organizations until they found the right one. That calm, methodical response was as important as any other part of the story.
With Cokenias’ help, the family gently contained the bat, whom the children named Screechey. They placed him in the garage, a quiet and sheltered spot where he would be protected until he could be transported to Arizona Bat Rescue. Out of harm’s way and monitored by the family, Screechey had his first real chance to recover. The kids watched over him carefully, hoping their tiny guest would be all right.
As they waited, the siblings decided they wanted to do more than simply keep Screechey safe. They wanted him to have something cozy and special, a physical reminder of the time he spent with them before moving on to proper wildlife care. One of the children, an 8-year-old named Caitlin, came up with a sweet idea: she would build Screechey a house.
Caitlin set to work crafting a little home for the canyon bat. She did not have specialized materials or elaborate tools, yet she had something just as powerful, a child’s determination to help. She decorated the tiny bat house so that it would feel warm and welcoming, pouring time and effort into making sure this fragile wild animal had a place of his own. I found this detail striking, because it shows how even a very young child can respond to a delicate situation with both creativity and compassion.
Once Screechey’s new house was complete, the family gently prepared for the drive to Arizona Bat Rescue. They brought the bat and his handmade shelter to Cokenias, who was ready to take over his care with professional expertise. Upon meeting the siblings and seeing the effort they had made, Cokenias was deeply moved. She later explained that their small act of kindness genuinely touched her and even brought her to tears.
Cokenias described how their actions made her work feel easier and renewed her faith in humanity. She praised the children for taking the situation seriously, seeking help from professionals, and doing everything they could to protect Screechey until he reached proper care. She also admired the tiny house Caitlin built, calling it absolutely adorable and acknowledging how much time and heart had gone into it. She even decided to keep the handmade bat house permanently, a lasting reminder of the family’s thoughtful response.
At Arizona Bat Rescue, Screechey received a thorough checkup. He turned out to be a canyon bat, the smallest species of bat in North America, weighing about the same as a Hershey’s Kiss. That size might sound fragile, yet for his species it was normal. Apart from being a little underweight, he was found to be healthy. He did not show signs of serious injury or illness, which meant he was a strong candidate for rehabilitation and release.
Cokenias’ goal then shifted to helping Screechey regain his strength. He needed a safe place to rest and an opportunity to put on a bit more weight. With proper food and quiet, secure housing, he began to recover. Once he had added enough body fat and regained his energy, he was ready to head back where he belonged, the wild night skies.
According to Cokenias, Screechey was released not long after his arrival at the rescue facility. He simply needed rest, professional assessment, and what she described as a bit of fattening up. Without the family’s quick response and respect for professional wildlife rescue, the outcome might have been very different. A grounded bat that is not helped in time can face dehydration, predation, or exposure, especially when it is as small and vulnerable as a canyon bat.
This story highlights more than the survival of one small bat. It illustrates how children, when given guidance, can respond to wildlife with respect rather than fear. The siblings did not attempt to treat Screechey as a pet or handle him carelessly. They recognized that he needed expert help and that bats should only be managed by trained professionals. At the same time, they found an age-appropriate way to show empathy through the creation of the little bat house.
It also reveals how rehabilitation professionals often work hand in hand with the public, turning worried calls into positive outcomes. A backyard bat rescue begins with a phone call and a willingness to follow instructions, then becomes a success story where both people and animals benefit. In this case, Screechey recovered and returned to the wild, while the children saw firsthand how their careful choices could change the course of a small life.
There is another touching detail. Screechey’s special house will not go unused now that he is flying free again. Cokenias plans to keep the handcrafted structure, and other bats in need may one day find shelter inside it. The tiny home that started as a child’s project is likely to continue offering comfort and safety to future bat patients, carrying forward the spirit of that first rescue.
From a grounded, Hershey’s Kiss-sized canyon bat under a backyard playhouse to a healthy animal released back into the wild, this story gently reminds us how compassion, caution, and collaboration with wildlife experts can intertwine. It shows that even a small act, like building a cardboard house for a bat, can resonate far beyond one afternoon in a family garage and can become part of an ongoing circle of care for wild animals who need a second chance. Read more at The Dodo
