You can help us save hedgehogs

It is estimated that there are now less than 1 million hedgehogs left here in the UK. There are so many factors going against our hedgehogs but across the country rescue centres like us are working tirelessly to save as many sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs as we can, releasing them back into the wild when they are fit and healthy again.

Autumn and Winter are by far the busiest times of year for hedgehog admissions at our wildlife hospital.

We see many underweight, late born juveniles admitted that would not survive winter hibernation. These youngsters often have serious health conditions such as lungworm and liver fluke, which can prove fatal in animals that are in poor condition. These youngsters are treated for any underlying illnesses and are fed a varied diet to help boost their weight to 600g. Once the youngsters reach this weight they go to experienced hedgehog fosterers to overwinter in outdoor hutches to be monitored until spring. You can find out about this on our website www.hartwildlife.org.uk

The hedgehog season does not stop with the youngsters, we also admit very sick adults this time of year who have serious health conditions (just like many of the youngsters). Lungworm, liver fluke, heavy tick burdens and other parasitic infections are a big problem for any hedgehog, these conditions make feeding up for hibernation impossible which leads to these poorly hedgehogs being found wandering during daylight hours (not normal behaviour for hedgehogs).

Every donation will help with a rise in our medical costs, food bill and energy bill.

£5 will feed a hedgehog for a week.

£10 will help treat a hedgehog that has lungworm.

£20 will run 2 heat mats for a week, providing vital warmth for new arrivals who are often very cold and weak.

£30 will buy a 5kg box of Beaphar Bogena Universal, a special food we mix with cat food to provide extra nutrition for our hedgehogs.

£50 will help towards vet bills for hedgehogs requiring emergency x-rays and other treatments/diagnostics we cannot currently provide ourselves.

£100 will provide food, medication and vital care for two hedgehogs throughout their entire stay at the hospital. Most hedgehogs are with us for a number of weeks due to the complexity of their health requirements. The average stay is over a month.

Our aim is to treat the hedgehogs in our care so that one day they will be fit for release back into the wild, your support can make this happen! Please share with your family and friends to help us hit this target and help more hedgehogs in need. Thank you :)