Record-breaking year for hedgehogs


Last year at the cent re we admit ted 907 hedgehogs - a 49% increase on the previous year .


It 's an awful lot of work for our staf f and volunteers to rehabilitate so many hedgehogs and the amount of cat / dog food we get through each year is eye-watering!


We always make sure we do the very best for the hedgehogs that come into our care and get them f it and healthy enough to return them back to the wild where they belong - we like to return them back to where they were rescued, where possible. Members of the public are usually delighted to have their prickly f riends back and will of ten drive miles to pick them up themselves which is fantast ic.


We are always grateful to the public who show so much care and kindness to our wildlife.


Most of the hedgehogs receiving care during winter months are usually cold, underweight , wobbly, dehydrated, collapsed and hungry when they arrive at the centre. On arrival they will be checked over for obvious injuries, weighed, given warmth either by a heat mat or a snuggle safe, food, ant ibiot ics if needed and f luids if dehydrated. During winter months all our hedgehogs are automat ically de-wormed; at other t imes of the year will be de-wormed pending a fecal result (which is based upon previous research). Once signed of f and heavy enough they will move f rom the centre?


holding bays. All the while they st ill require feeding, and their accommodat ion cleaning. We also add in leaves / st icks to enrich their pens.


s ? orphan room? into individual Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015


If you f ind a sick hedgehog out during the day this generally means they are struggling for whatever reason but two scenarios where this may not be the case is if a pregnant female is trying to put weight on prior to giving birth or a new mum that is extra hungry and seeking extra food. Asking for advice is always important as it is not always black and white when it comes to stepping in or not . If a hedgehog needs to come in we would advise that they be given warmth - a hot water bot t le wrapped in a towel is ideal - and to of fer it pet food or scrambled egg straight away and bring them to the centre. If a hedgehog gets too cold, their chances of recovery reduces.


4 2016 2017 2018 2019 Grand


Grand Total


588 538 524 762 478 620 736 881 796 607 907 7,437


Advice of fered to the public will vary pending the t ime of year, largerly dependent upon weather. Even in extreme hot months in the summer when hedgehogs are found out we may advise to support feed rather than bring them into a wildlife hospital and monitor behavior. A bowl of cat / dog food (not f ish-based or gravy) each night and easily accessible water (not milk) in your garden will help them gain weight and hopefully reduce dayt ime act ivity.


Hedgehogs may also wake up during hibernat ion when it is mild weather, forage for food and then go back to sleep once the temperature drops again.


Tips on keeping hedgehogs safe in the garden include:


check inside the pile with a torch prior to light ing or move the bonf ire to a new site then light - Remember to remove sports


- If you are light ing a bonf ire


and f ruit net t ing, - Cover drains and holes, - Check before using a


strimmer or mower, - Look in compost heaps before


forking over - Avoid using slug pellets as these are poisonous to hedgehogs.


For advise on your hedgehog please contact your the RSPCA? 0300 1234 999.


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