Found a hedgehog?
What do I do?
If you have found a hedgehog that you think is in need of rescue please follow these steps BEFORE you seek help:
- ࠀHandle the hedgehog carefully and gently with thick gloves for your safety.
- ࠀRemain calm and quiet around the animal and keep noise levels and handling to an absolute minimum.
- ࠀPut the hedgehog in a high sided box (no cages/boxes with bars). Cover the box but make sure there is some ventilation.
- ࠀGive the hedgehog something like a towel/fleece to hide under and keep warm.
- ࠀProvide water (no food).
- ࠀProvide a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel but make sure the animal can move away from the heat source if it wants to.
- ࠀPut the box in a quiet, warm area away from noise/pets and avoid allowing unnecessarily interaction. It is a wild animal and it will be extremely stressed.
The hedgehog may need immediate vet assistance. Check HERE whether you need to take it to a vet.
Things to avoid
- ࠀDo not crowd around the hedgehog and allow it to be unnecessarily handled.
- ࠀDo not delay in seeking veterinary care if it is injured as described below.
- ࠀDo not provide food until you have spoken to the admitting rescue. Giving food to a dehydrated animal may kill it. The body takes all the fluids away from the vital organs to digest the food and the animal collapses.
- ࠀDo not use a cat carrier or box/cage with bars. Fatalities have occurred while hedgehogs are in transit or held in such containers.
- ࠀDo not keep the hedgehog in a cold place such as a garage/greenhouse. An ill or injured animal is likely to be hypothermic and in shock; being cold will reduce its chances of survival.
Does the hedgehog need a vet?
- Is the hedgehog crying out or screaming – sometimes this sounds like a quacking sound.
- Is there reason to suspect the animal has been injured?
- Has the animal been trapped or caught in something e.g netting?
- Is the hedgehog bleeding?
- Is there a very strong and unpleasant smell?
- Is there evidence of maggots?
- Is the hedgehog lifeless?
- Was the animal found in water?
If the answer is ‘yes’ to any of these questions the hedgehog needs immediate and urgent veterinary assistance. You must take the hedgehog straight to your nearest vets, do not wait for us to reply to a message because the animal needs urgent help which we cannot provide. We work with both local vets in Oakham and the hedgehog may be admitted into our care after receiving immediate treatment by a veterinary professional if this is appropriate.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE
If we are able to admit the hedgehog into our care we will always ask you to drive it to us in the village of Market Overton.
We have very little spare time between working and administering to the animals in our care. If you cannot drive across to us please ask someone such as friends, family, neighbours if they can do so on your behalf.
It is important that you do not bring a hedgehog to the rescue unless we have asked you to do so. It may be more appropriate that the hedgehog is taken straight to a veterinary surgery; we may not be here or we may be full and unable to take a new admission.
Other support
If we cannot admit the hedgehog or you want immediate advice please call the British Hedgehog Preseveration Society or use the directory of rescues that can be found at helpwildlilfe.co.uk to find another wildlife or hedgehog rescue in the area.
