Wyre Forest Hedgehog Rescue

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Welcome to Wyre Forest Hedgehog Rescue,

Please note, due to unforeseen circumstances, I am not taking hedgehogs in at present.
Please contact the BHPS >
http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/ 

SnufflesStatistics show that the hedgehogs of Britain are dying out. According to latest Government ‘British Mammals Report’ Hedgehogs face extinction within thirteen years. We have always had a passion for hedgehogs.
For years we have fed them and watched them in our garden. As our interest grew we decided to take this 'hobby' a step further and looked into caring for sick and injured hedgehogs ourselves. We contacted the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and we were added to their registered carers list so from then on we became Wyre Forest Hedgehog Rescue based in Kidderminster, Worcs.

Hedgehog out in daylightHedgehogs should not be out during the day. If you find a sick or injured hedgehog, it is essential to keep it warm. If possible put it in a high sided box, wrap it in a towel, please do not use hay, straw or sawdust, then put it on a warm water bottle (not hot),  If there are any signs of fly eggs or maggots on it don't use heat, then contact your local rescue centre or carer as soon as possible. Please do not watch the hedgehog or keep it for days yourself it needs help straight away. In most cases sick hedgehogs will require fluids and specialist care, once fit and well you can always offer to have the hedgehog back. If you cannot get through to a carer straight away then the hedgehog should be taken to your local vet, especially if it has an injury, the vet should give basic emergency treatment. 

Often by the time a hedgehog finds its way to us it will be very ill, lots of time and effort will be needed to help the hedgehog recover.  We provide rehabilitation and pay for veterinary care with the aim of releasing all hedgehogs back into the wild once they are well enough to fend for themselves.  When a hedgehog is not able to return to the wild, a secure garden will be found where the hedgehog can lead as natural a life as possible.

Slugs and SnailsAs we receive no funding and due to the costs involved, we needed to expand our efforts so that we could take in more casualties and orphans.  We attend  &  fundraise at various local events and car boot sales, give illustrated awareness talks to Schools, Brownies, Women's Institutes and other societies when asked and sometimes receive  kind donations from members of the public which cover the costs of food, veterinary treatment and housing.  The majority of hedgehogs that come in will require at least one trip to the vet, some will need long term treatment.  Looking after hedgehogs can be costly, we can go through many tins of dog/cat food and biscuits in a week!  Last year alone we helped and cared for many hedgehogs, over 75% were successfully re- released back into the wild. Unfortunately, some were so badly injured they were put to sleep by our vet as to end their suffering. Others which came in were so poorly no matter what treatment they received they would not respond and sadly gave up.

BBC Hedgehog StreetThere are many issues which are contributing to the decline of the hedgehog population. A large proportion of people are removing hedges & bushes and generally tidying their gardens which is detrimental to the hedgehog population as it removes the shelter where they would otherwise have nested. If possible, please try to leave an untidy area tucked away in your garden which can be used for hibernation hideaways. Also the use of gravel boards with fencing has stopped the hedgehogs moving from garden to garden in search of food. Most hedgehogs will travel between 12 gardens per night! ( please leave a small hole 5" so they can gain access). There has also been a substantial increase in the number of pesticides, chemicals, slug pellets and rat poisons used to control vermin in urban areas. Injuries caused by Strimmers, Mowers, Garden Forks, Bonfires and discarded Netting, Litter and Post Office Rubber Bands, and of course Badgers, Foxes and Dogs. Hedgehogs are good swimmers but do need an escape route out of ponds and other water features. Probably the most important of all though is lack of food and water especially in dry conditions. In late autumn hedgehogs have a 2nd litter and therefore don't hibernate until much later. Unfortunately natural food sources have gone by the winter months and the young will never be able to put on enough weight to survive. A simple hedgehog house and a regular supply of food and water in your garden will certainly postpone the extinction of these wonderful creatures. 

Carers listTo contact your local carer, there is a list on the British Hedgehog Preservation Society's website   http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/ 

 

A hedgehog fact sheet can be downloaded from Hog Watch by clicking here.

Please think before using Netting !

In 2010 I had six hedgehogs in who had been tangled in netting/wire.  All of these hedgehogs had back legs missing/broken and were so badly infected that they were put to sleep. Please if you are using netting put it a foot off the ground so hedgehogs can walk underneath it and not get tangled. Sorry these photos are upsetting but you need to see what injuries are caused.

First hog in on 13.3.11 broken back leg !

Hedgehogs Need Your Help Now.

As winter is now approaching, hedgehogs need to weigh at least 700 grams to see them through hibernation. To increase their chance of survival through hibernation by increasing their fat reserves,  please offer a meat based cat or dog food in jelly( not in gravy or fish flavoured) cat/kitten biscuits and a large dish of water, these can be a life saver. Should you see any hedgehogs out during the day please contain them and contact your local rescue centre for advice.

Never feed Bread or Milk to a Hedgehog.

As we are self funded If you would like to help our prickly friends then please consider making a donation, no matter how small, it will be gratefully appreciated, each £1.00 will feed a hedgehog for 2 days, please use the 'donate' button below. Donations are processed via 'PayPal' and are secure. You don't need a PayPal account, you can donate via a debit or credit card as well.   

                                   Thank you for your support

       baby hoglets in incubator                 Feeding time

 




Hedgehog with ticks (Oscar)

syringe feeding a baby

Hedgehog self annointing





Giving antibiotics to a hog

baby hedgehog

George



self annoint

babies 2