Butler, a licensed bat rehabilitator, one of only three in Vermont, takes in bats people find. She says with the early snow and topsy-turvy temperatures, more bats have been waking up from their winter slumber. But waking up mid-winter can be fatal for the bats, so they are found and brought in before being released in the spring.

It’s mostly big brown bats that are found because they tend to snuggle up in small crevices. This time last year, Butler had fewer than 10 bats in her care, but this year that number has more than doubled.

“I’ve been trying to be in prep mode, you know? I thought I was ready for this season and uhh... sheer numbers. I’ve had to add another shelf, I’ve, you know, added more enclosures, I might be running the market on heating pads,” Butler said.