It’s fast approaching the time of year when us rehabbers are considering releasing our hedgehogs that have been overwintered. I would like to ask everyone to be mindful and check their gardens before using power tools, get sports netting off the ground and also water features made safe. These mammals are everyone’s friend and we have a duty of care to ensure they can pass through our gardens, eat the bugs we consider pests and move on.
I will be releasing very soon, finders will be contacted and any help and advice will be offered, I have worked very hard keeping so many safe, well and healthy and it has been very difficult, but very rewarding.
I would like to introduce you all to my resident hedgehog Molly.
She was discovered in a park at Ferryhill last November, the poor soul was circling really badly. Her finder tried so hard to get her to a rescue without delay but, unfortunately, all were full to bursting, I was also full so Molly was passed to the vets that cared for his dogs which turned out to be Grange Vets, my vets.
The poor man, called Nick, rang the following day, (Wednesday) and was advised that Molly was going to be euthanised, he was heartbroken, this information was incorrect because I rang the vet and she had turned a corner, thankfully. I stepped in and admitted Molly on Thursday 2nd November last year, she had a nasty tummy infection and also she is blind in one eye, hence the circling.
Because she is about six years old it would be extremely cruel to euthanise her or release her because she has given us many hoglets in her lifetime, we owe her a debt of gratitude, she will be here for quite a while, hopefully, she is a delight to have in rescue and she has the run of the house if she wishes.
She has her own new cage and when the weather improves she can have a walk around the garden if she wants, with supervision of course. She is very small and thin, she needs constant monitoring and care, it’s what she deserves. As you can see she is a mucky eater.
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society telephone number is 01584 890801. My Facebook page is Prickly Haven Hedgehog Hotel or email me: pricklyhaven@yahoo.com