The Spikey Sanctuary

20/09/2023

The three babies we had in are doing absolutely amazing! They're growing like weeds, eating solid foods and trashing the place daily 😂 So happy with how well they've done... it was touch and go for the little one!

Please please consider supporting us so that we can continue to rescue hedgehogs in need. We have a PayPal for donations and an Amazon Wishlist for items to be sent directly to us. Both are so so appreciated.

Right now we are in desperate need of food, hutches, cages, blankets and funds to start getting necessary medications such as wormers as well as a buffer for any vet bills.

Please help us if you can 🖤

https://paypal.me/thespikeysanctuary/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1667PPP6MP8N6?ref_=wl_share

07/09/2023

Evening!

All three babies are doing well. They're all eating well and looking good! 🥰 We had to spend a few hours removing a ridiculous amount of fly strike from them. They had it in their eye sockets, in their fur and then maggots in their ears! But they're all clear now and doing great.

We are getting everything ready to take in even more hogs... we are hoping to build up a reserve of supplies and funds to ensure we are fully ready for any hedgehogs in need... that's where you guys come in! 🙂 Supplies help massively and funds ensure we can pay vet bills and any costs relating to the rescue.

We've set up a few methods of supporting the sanctuary... any donation of any kind helps massively!

Please also share this post so we can reach as many new followers as possible. The more people that know we exists the better!

PayPal donations: https://paypal.me/thespikeysanctuary

Amazon wishlist (send directly to the rescue using this link): https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1667PPP6MP8N6?ref_=wl_share

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/eaee0bbf

05/09/2023

Hey everyone!!

After over a years break... we are back! 😁

We took time out after the birth of our daughter to spend some time as a family and establish our business. However, we are back and getting ready to take in hedgehogs in need in bigger numbers than we have done over the past year or so.

We took these little ones in earlier today. Some very lovely gardeners sadly found one baby deceased and one out in the open looking weak and covered in fly strike. They searched around and found two siblings but there was no sign of Mum. They were all looking dehydrated and hungry! They've all had fluids and have taken two lots of milk feeds so far. Fingers crossed they continue to do well.

We will be needing support from everyone willing to help to get up and running again... hopefully we've kept plenty of our followers so we can spread the word 🥰

05/01/2022

Hi everyone!

Firstly, happy new year!

Just wanted to post and say we are still here and taking in what we can. We've been quiet on social media due to my partner having COVID, me having a chest infection and our little girl having a rotten cold whilst trying to manage all the hedgehogs 😂 It's been a fun few weeks!

But anyway, we are here and if anyone needs us just give us a call! I'm going to be catching up on the non-emergency messages we have in our inbox that haven't been replied to. As always, if there's no answer please leave a message and I'll get back to you.

💕🦔

20/11/2021

I sadly can't get out today as my little one isn't well but we have a hedgehog that needs collecting from Woodhall Farm and bringing to Nash Mills.

Can anyone help? 🙂

Edit - All sorted! Little one is on route to us.

19/11/2021

We are still in desperate need of items from our wishlist. Mainly puppy pads, bowls and gloves.

If anyone is able to help please do! It's a big struggle for rescues currently and we are trying our best to get by but definitely need your help.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1W1KT7ZO11AZA?ref_=wl_share

Any donations to PayPal are also a massive help towards bills etc.

https://paypal.me/thespikeysanctuary

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15/11/2021

Please keep your eyes pealed for any small hedgehogs. Now the weather is dropping there may be some juveniles that aren't quite up to weight for winter so they'll need help. If you see any out during the day this time of year please call us for advice.

We are hoping to be able to reopen ASAP but if you're able to help us get there sooner please do!

We desperately need puppy pads, bowls, gloves and really useful boxes for storage. We have an Amazon wishlist here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1W1KT7ZO11AZA?ref_=wl_share

We are also saving to pay off our bills and also get some new medical equipment for next year so any help towards those costs would be a massive help!

https://PayPal.me/thespikeysanctuary

Your support means the world to us and our little spikey friends 💕🦔

15/10/2021

We have X3, potentially 4, Hedgehogs due to come to us next week from Walthamstow once they've finished their current treatment at a veterinary practice.

Does anyone travel through there to Hemel on a regular basis? We'd be very grateful if anyone is able to help by being a hedgehog taxi 🦔🚕

07/10/2021

Donation information...

We always need help with vet costs, generally running costs and things like bedding, food, bowls, cleaning products etc.

There's a few ways you can help 🙂

Monetary donations can be sent through the following PayPal link. You don't need PayPal to do this:

https://paypal.me/thespikeysanctuary

We have an amazon wishlist which you can purchase goodies for the hogs from and it comes straight to them. I update this list regularly depending on what's needed:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1W1KT7ZO11AZA?ref_=wl_share

You can also donate bits yourself. Just drop us a message and we can arrange to collect if need be 🥰

Thank you for any support! It's a huge help and we couldn't do this without it.

Toni 🦔

05/10/2021

Name needed! 🦔🐾

We've had this little boy come in who needs some weight on him and worm treatments. He came in from Bovingdon.

Help us name him 🥰

We are back open now! So all support towards veterinary costs etc is a massive help. You can donate using the link below 💕

https://paypal.me/thespikeysanctuary

24/09/2021

We have a few more things to set up and settle before re-opening but it won't be too long! ☺

Any help towards our costs to get going are always appreciated! Especially in the current times.

https://paypal.me/thespikeysanctuary

Here's a throwback photo in the meantime...

29/08/2021

🦔 Reopening Details! 🦔

We are hoping to reopen over the next 8 weeks or so. 😁 This gives us time to get more settled with our daughter and prepare everything we need to reopen.

Currently we need to purchase new medical supplies, medication, some new hutches (winter wasn't kind to some of our hutches!) and smaller essential care items ready for hogs to come in.

Any donations towards these costs would be amazing as it means we can reopen ASAP and be fully prepared.

https://PayPal.me/thespikeysanctuary

Bank details can be sent for those unable to use PayPal.

We can't wait to be open and helping our amazing wildies once again! 💕

15/08/2021

Here's the reason we are currently closed to new admissions 🥰

Our new little addition... Ember-Leigh Marci Pearce.

We will remain closed for a few months whilst we settle and get a routine etc in place but will reopen once we feel able.

Thank you to everyone for your support and understanding 💕

05/07/2021

Just a quick reminder that we are currently closed for new admissions due to personal circumstances.

Hoping to reopen later in the year or early 2022.

We are still happy to answer any questions and offer advice if needed 🥰 If you call for advice please just leave a message and I'll get back to you when I can. Alternatively just message or text us.

Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support 💕🦔

16/06/2021

Completely heartbroken to say that Strawberry sadly didn't make it 😔

The infection was just too deep and we couldn't get a hold on it despite strong antibiotics. He lost all of his strength and neither us or our vets could keep him hydrated. He sadly lost his fight last night.

RIP Strawberry.

08/06/2021

Being 'closed' doesn't always go to plan 😅 We've had a fair few calls recently and this little one came in this morning in an emergency.

Look away if squeamish.

My partner and I spent the morning trying to get him all cleaned up.

Wound on his head filled with fly eggs and maggots, wound inside his ear so his ear was filled with eggs and maggots too.

Maggots all removed, majority of eggs removed, wounds flushed, antibiotics, pain relief, fluids and injection to kill off any remaining maggots given.

Fingers crossed for the poor little mite. Sadly he's very weak and underweight but we will do all we can.

27/05/2021

🦔 Important Information - 27th May 2021 🦔

Hi guys,

Due to personal reasons we will be temporarily closed to new admissions for a few months.

This isn't an easy decision but one that needs to be made for my own sake. We will reopen the minute I feel I can take more in again.

We are still able to offer advice etc so please still call if needed.

Thanks,

Toni 🦔

26/05/2021

Things have taken a sad turn here at TSS for our resident boy, Phil.

Phil came to us early last year with clear neurological issues, a heavy parasite burden and he was unable to stand due to balance issues. He improved considerably over the next few months and was moving about on his own, eating, treated and cleared of parasites etc. Sadly, that hasn't lasted and he's been getting progressively worse again.

Our priority for the hogs here is always to give them the best quality of life possible... and sadly, over the past few weeks it's become clear that he just doesn't have much at all.

Phil has recently spent every night, all night running in tight circles on a small patch of the garden. He could not walk in a straight line. He would also do this consistently throughout the day. I've found him numerous times throughout the day including in the pouring rain last week at around 2pm circling non stop. I had to lock him in his hutch just to keep him dry and settled. He could only make his way back to his food and bed if his circling got him there or if we helped him back.

Not only was he spending all night and day presenting this behaviour, he also developed severe body convulsions that meant he just couldn't settle. They didn't stop when he slept so he was constantly up throughout the day when he should have been sleeping. Alongside this, we had constant issues with his feet from him circling consistently... he'd basically run the pads off of his own feet until they were raw.

We spoke with our vet a few times and we came to the extremely difficult decision to let Phil rest. This was not a decision I took lightly by any means but it would have been selfish and unfair to keep him going with such little quality of life.

One of the extremely tough parts of working with animals 😔

Rest in Peace, Phil.

18/05/2021

Just a quick post as have had a fair few calls over the past few days...

As much as we'd love to help all wildlife, we only have the facilities, expertise and equipment to help hedgehogs currently.

We've had lots of calls about pigeons and sadly, we just aren't able to be much help. My recommendation would always be to contact Tiggywinkles or Ernies Bird Rescue.

Thank you for your understanding.

Toni 🦔

07/05/2021

We've been quiet on social media simply due to being busy with our personal lives and changes happening here. The rescue itself has also been quiet so hopefully that means our hogs are keeping themselves out of trouble!

As always, if you call and I don't answer please leave me a message and I'll call you back as soon as I can.

I was recently tagged in a post and thought I'd share this here too... if anyone has regular hedgehog visitors or spots a hedgehog please go and log it on this map! Then we can get an idea of where we have a good population etc. 🥰

https://bighedgehogmap.org/

A hub for mapping the UK’s hedgehogs, and pledging to make holes for them. Part of Hedgehog Street, a national campaign to save hedgehogs by PTES & BHPS.

19/04/2021

Resident hedgehog, Phil, ended up in the vets over the weekend. Did some major damage to his hind leg but its a complete mystery as to how. Initially we thought he got something wrapped around the leg and then bit at his leg but the vet doesn't believe that's the case.

He's now home, in his bed with a big bowl of dinner. On antibiotics and pain relief injections daily for the next week or so.

Fingers crossed no more issues for him!

31/03/2021

Hedgehogs are waking up after the warm spell we've had so we have a bit more activity here!

I've been quiet on the posts as have some personal stuff going on currently but we are still here for emergencies ☺ We've been pretty quiet which is nice as means we've been able to focus on finishing our aviaries and now planning releases for some of our hogs here.

Baby season will be creeping in so thought I'd pop up some advice:

- If you find a nest please do not disturb it. If Mum is missing or runs off then leave the area well alone and monitor to see if she comes back within 2-3 hours.
- If Mum doesn't return within that time and babies are making noise then scoop them up with covered hands using gloves or a towel and contact your local rescue.
- DO NOT attempt to feed baby or give any fluids. This can be lethal if done incorrectly.
- DO NOT attempt to hand rear yourself. It is extremely difficult without knowledge and babies are so prone to bloat and other issues which can and will kill.
- Please ensure you contact a rescue and not someone who claims they know what they're doing on a Facebook post. I see this all too often. A wildlife rescue is the best place for abandoned babies.

We will be here through baby season to help as many as we can possibly fit in. We also have other rescues we work alongside if we are full or unable to help for any reason so please contact us if you need us.

If you get our voicemail when calling PLEASE leave a message. I generally won't contact numbers back without a message or text left.

12/03/2021

Only two of our hibernating residents have woken up so far... not much longer and we'll be looking for some release sites! 🦔

26/02/2021

We received a special donation this morning. Well done and thank you to Imogen. The hedgehogs very much appreciate your support 🦔🥰

'My niece Imogen has walked a mile a day throughout the month of February. I set her challenge to get her out during lockdown. I then asked for her to chose a charity she wished me to make donation too. This is the charity she chose.'

22/02/2021

I noticed this morning that one of our hibernating patients woke up last night for food and water. With the weather warming slightly keep an eye out for any hedgehogs waking up for a snack! Please provide food and water as they'll need it after hibernating.

Thanks! ☺

20/02/2021

Some advice I recently posted in a local group for a lady who found a healthy hedgehog hibernating in some tarpaulin.

The hedgehog was moved to a safe place and made his own way off that night to find somewhere a bit safer to sleep!

I thought I'd share the advice here to give people an idea on what to do if they find a hibernating hedgehog or a hedgehog at night that seems otherwise healthy.

Of course if there's any injuries, it's underweight, wobbly, lethargic etc then give us a call.

04/02/2021

This arrived today but I can only assume it's something someone has accidently sent us with donations?

If this is yours please let me know! It'll be safe and sound here for now. ☺

04/02/2021

Today we've had 4 new hutches and 2 boxes of wet cat food arrive.

Thank you so much to those who sent these! It helps so much and means we can take in more little ones. ☺

Plus Phil gets a new hutch thanks to a donation from a lovely supporter! He'll be a happy hog later on when we get it set up for him. 🦔

02/02/2021

Hey, guys!

Edit - Thanks to our lovely followers we now have enough hutches! However, other items on the wishlist are still very much needed 🥰 Especially puppy pads and wet food!

This link is to our Amazon wishlist... it enables you to buy products that then come straight to our hedgehogs 🦔 All these products are extremely helpful!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1W1KT7ZO11AZA?ref_=wl_share

Any help is massively appreciated 🥰

16/01/2021

I hope everyone is staying safe and coping with these weird times! 💕🦔

Just a quick one to say if you have found a hedgehog please call me and if I don't answer please please leave a message.

I can't always get to the phone straight away for various reasons so if you leave me a message I will get back to you ASAP. So either leave a voicemail or drop me a text. We are still open to take hedgehogs in.

The messenger function of FB pages can be very unreliable so please only use that for non emergency advice. My contact number is on the page and you're welcome to call or text if needed.

All hogs here at the sanctuary are doing well currently. 🥰

31/12/2020

Cold weather is just too much for little Trixie. She's tiny and underweight for this time of year. Currently snoozing on a warm snugglesafe 💕

31/12/2020

All of our hogs outside have finally started to hibernate with the weather drop.

Please keep an eye out for any hedgehogs out and about now with it being so cold and frosty!

25/12/2020

Merry Christmas!

We hope you all have a lovely day. 🥰🎄

20/12/2020

Given the news that Hertfordshire is going in to Tier 4 I just wanted to let everyone know that we will still be here to help with hedgehogs where needed.

We will be maintaining very strict social distancing with PPE and ask people to bring the hedgehogs to us where possible so they can be dropped at the door and you can then step back completely for one of us to collect the hedgehog. I will then take any details needed over phone or text.

I hope everyone has a lovely Christmas despite this news ☹ Here's hoping 2021 is a better year!

14/12/2020

Throwback photo as it is so cute 💕 Clearly a hard life! 😅🦔

We are still here and open to take in new hogs or to offer advice if it's needed. If you call and we don't answer please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. 🦔

22/11/2020

Morning, everyone!

Now we are seeing lots of frost and temperature drops please keep an eye out for any small hogs and, as always, any lethargic, wobbly, poorly hogs out during the day.

You're always welcome to call for advice if you're unsure on 07436051335. Please bare in mind that I can't always answer straight away so please leave me a voicemail and I'll get back to you.

All of ours are doing well. All those outside are sleeping currently... apart from Phil who seems to think the rules don't apply to him so he's just stuffing his face instead. 😅

02/11/2020

Remember the little baby, Homer?

Here he is today 😍 Looking very unimpressed that he needed to be cleaned out 😅

23/10/2020

Please share. We get lots of calls asking us to take hedgehogs who don't necessarily need to be rescued so hopefully this will help anyone who are unsure 😊