Sorry about my absence, a week away with the family and a week to catch up, but it’s business as usual with some additional news and information. All rescue hedgehogs had a lovely week with Bernie’s Hedgehog Rescue in Durham, all returned happier and healthier, she is an excellent rehabber as are Dawn, Jude and Jill of A Prickly Problem north of here,Sandra at Darlington, we are all over capacity, we help each other and share ideas, we have the same goal, help these poor little mammals. As things are, at the moment, all rescues are full and then some, we are all taking in more than usual even doubling up in the larger cages, wherever possible. We will all say the same thing, when you see a hedgehog out during the day or it looks too small, or both, it needs rescuing, these will not survive if left unattended, time is of the essence. The colder nights are upon us very soon. The nights are getting longer, this is also something that needs to be mentioned, watch your dogs, make sure hedgehogs are safe and check your gardens before letting them out, it only takes a minute. Our hedgehogs are looking for food, that’s all!
As Halloween and firework night approaches, I would like you all to spare a thought to these beautiful mammals, to begin with pumpkins need to be kept away from hedgehogs, they can give them an upset stomach, if you need to feed them to squirrels, birds etc put them out of reach of hedgehogs, secondly, for those of you who light bonfires, please wait till the day of lighting to set these up, any hedgehog will think it’s for them to nest in so be aware please. The outcome for these babies doesn’t bear thinking about, take my word for it, there are little tiny ones out there still. Bernie has a 90g baby hoglet hand rearing at the moment! Thankfully baby is doing well! We all have non releasable hedgehogs at the moment, my littlest is 235g little Maria, thank you Angie for dropping her off on Sunday night, also Denise with Geri, out during the day with an internal parasite burden but treatment started on arrival. Thanks go to Pat and Fred for freeing up some room here so I can admit the critical cases, they are wonderful to know. Pat wants to learn more and become our next rehabber, she will be supported fully because it’s not an easy task, but she will do well. We are also releasing whilst we still have time.
If anyone wants to help us we are at the Scout Hall on Saturday 4th December, 1-5, thanks in advance to all businesses, crafty ladies and Marlene for helping me with the tombola and some raffle prizes too.
Photo: Baby Grace, dreadfully poorly on arrival but doing ok, thanks to Katie, Mellanby Cres.
Email pricklyhaven@yahoo.com or BHPS 01584 890801 for rehabbers in this area