This week I want to show you what us Hedgehog rehabbers face when we get new admissions, it takes years to gain the necessary knowledge and supplies to avert disaster for our prickly pals. This little girl didn’t get to the rescue in time, as you can see by her shape, rugby ball shape, she is severely dehydrated which resulted in multiple organ failure, we can’t administer fluids until they get warmed through, which takes a minimum of 2 hours, fluids have to be injected at regular intervals very gradually. This poor soul passed away within a few hours of admission which is heartbreaking for us all.
This is why we ask all our readers to support feed, even in the winter they can and do wake up hungry, they eat then go back to their nests and hibernate again. Keep that food coming, this poor soul was starved to death because there wasn’t any food out there for her in these very unpredictable weather conditions. We see hedgehogs coming out of hibernation dreadfully poorly or badly hurt because gardens aren’t checked before power tools are used. When they get scared all they do is curl up, they don’t run away. Can I also ask everyone to remove garden hazards now hedgehogs are waking up, ponds and water features with a safe exit route, like a ramp, will ensure their safety, football nets need to be lifted, maybe about six inches off the ground, so they don’t get trapped, their eyesight is quite poor. Also we love responsible dog owners, when a Hedgehog visits your garden he is passing through because he or she is hungry that’s all.
On a positive note, I currently have 14 beautiful hedgehogs in here, all different weights, comprising of six boys and nine girls, they will be released very soon. Also this rescue has got to close for a little while, maybe three weeks, because I am having a total hip replacement on Monday 27th. Hopefully, I will bounce back quickly, I have help here, so all Prickly friends will be fine.
Also on the 8th of April I will be in Tesco with lovely Jackie, with leaflets and some lovely bits and pieces for sale, come and say hello and please ask questions. We will be there from 10.30am, all proceeds go to this rescue, our thanks to Shirley our Community Champion. Not forgetting our lovely June and Valerie, I will also be doing the raffle and announcing winners next week.
Here are some useful numbers: The British Hedgehog Preservation Society 01584 890801, Email pricklyhaven@yahoo.com