Hilton Hedgehog Rescue

13/06/2024

It is with sadness that I announce my hedgehog rescue will be closing with immediate effect. I am so proud of how many hedgehogs I have rescued, rehabilitated and released in the 14 years I have been doing this.

There is a high cost (financially and otherwise) in rescuing animals. In my case it is a combination of reasons why I am forced to close. Not only have I received only one donation in a 12 month period, my Etsy store sales have dropped dramatically, with no sales in nearly 4 months. Added to that, my landlord has decided to sell and I am now in the stressful situation of trying to find somewhere to live and this has just been the straw that has broken the camels back.

I do not know where I will end up, nor if I will have the space to continue rescuing hedgehogs. Quite honestly, with the exorbitant rents being charged it is doubtful I will have the funds to continue doing this on the scale I have done up until now. In the future, I will likely only take in a few hedgehogs as and when finances allow, but this will not be in the Hilton or Huntingdon area.

To those who have helped or supported me over the years, thank you.

10/06/2022

Handy advice

Great advice from Watermeadows Hedgehog Rescue on what to do if you disturb a hedgehog nest with hoglets in 😃
If you need to find a local Rescue you can check on https://helpwildlife.co.uk/map/

02/02/2022

07/01/2022

All current patients have been given a clean bill of health and have been moved to their deluxe accommodation in the garage.

Those who have been in the garage for several weeks (or more) aren’t hibernating yet, despite the freezing temperatures at the moment. 🙄😄

01/12/2021

This is what a very “huffy” hedgehog sounds like. Georgina takes huffing to a new level. 😂 (Apologies the video ends abruptly, but I needed to put her back in her box after cleaning).

29/11/2021

In case you ever wonder why hedgehog rescues have to limit the numbers of hedgehogs we take in… it takes hours each day to care for them. Each morning this is my first priority - cleaning out each box from the night activities. Then weighing, medicating and settling each hog back for the day. 🦔 And yes, they are very active each night and there’s always a lot to clean up each morning. 😄

10/11/2021

A quick update on Georgina from Huntingdon. She has been gaining weight due to special medicated food I got for her, as she is not eating anything else. I have also started her on antibiotic for lungworm as she is coughing.

She is a feisty little hedgehog who hisses and grunts at me a lot. I’m hoping she will start to eat some other foods that I feed all the hedgehogs, once she is feeling better (probably once the course of antibiotics has had a chance to work). 🦔

04/11/2021

Unfortunately Joshua died within hours of being dropped off with me. This poor hedgehog lay outside a school in St Neots, while everyone stepped over him and did nothing. The kind lady who found him then struggled to find a rescue that had space until another rescue called me to ask if I could help.

Sadly there are too many cases like this, with other rescues being at capacity as I am. As much as we want to help every single hedgehog, we have to be realistic. Taking too many in means they do not receive the level of care they should get… but not taking them in means they could die. It’s a horrible situation to be in and happens all too frequently.

On a happier note, Carl from Godmanchester is doing well and has almost finished his course of antibiotics. I will post more updates on all my patients as and when I can. 🦔

03/11/2021

Another small hedgehog in, this girl is from Huntingdon and the lovely people who found her have called her Georgina. She weighs only 218g and on first inspection is dehydrated.

Unfortunately Sabrina, who I posted about a few days ago, did not survive. I also have had a very sick hedgehog from St Neots with breathing problems dropped off and his prognosis is not good either. His name is Joshua and I will share a video/photos when I can.

At this time of year, with the temperatures dropping and autumn juveniles (late litters of hoglets) don’t have much hope of surviving the winter if they have not gained sufficient weight.

Busy, busy, busy …

01/11/2021

This is Sabrina. She arrived tonight from Somersham. Her finders thought that all hedgehogs need to survive winter is to be “fattened up” and a good weight. This is not the case and l cannot say it enough - all animals need specialised care from experienced people.

I won’t go into the details of why Sabrina is now critical. What I can confirm is that she is severely dehydrated and has hypothermia. She may also have developed pneumonia.

Whilst I provide the best possible care I can to these sweet creatures, it’s not only time consuming and costly, it also takes an emotional toll. My heart is heavy because I don’t know if she will survive the night. Please think good thoughts for her. 💛

29/10/2021

Carl (found by Carol in Godmanchester)arrived on Thursday evening. He is in critical condition, but I am doing everything I possibly can to help him.

He is toasty and warm on a heat pad, receiving fluids and an antibiotic.

22/10/2021

👉 Please share this advice to counteract all the well meaning posts asking you to leave out pumpkins for wildlife. Keep them high to ensure hedgehogs don't have access. 🦔 🎃 ❎

Our thanks to the talented Ann Ross for this design 😀

07/10/2021

Great advice here

As you all know Hedgehogs are nocturnal so when we see one out in the day it’s not usual and can indicate the hedgehog is poorly and has a problem.
Seeing them in the day often means they are infact in urgent need of rescue.

Hedgehogs never sunbathe.

In the summertime/ hoglet season we do on occasions see a mummy hog who’s taken a break from her hoglets and may be seen out in daylight but she will be walking with purpose, if that’s the case then she needs to be left.
I must say, if in any doubt keep your eye on the hog, observe it for a few mins..If it’s at all wobbly, laying down in the sun, has flies around it or looks unwell, then please take swift action. Rescue !

If it’s moving with intent & a purpose & seems to know where it’s going then it’s likely ok, please leave alone.

With one that’s laying out, wobbly, with flies, please do not delay, the faster you act, the greater the chance of saving the hedgehog.

Speed is of the essence & getting the hog help is particularly important if the hedgehog is collapsed/not moving or is shaking/wobbling when walking.

What to do.

If you can, use thick gloves to pick it up, if not use an old towel, a coat or whatever you have to hand. If you’ve nothing use your hands but please wash your hands as soon as you can.

Contain the hedgehog in high sided box, I say something with very high sides is quite important as hogs are good climbers.

You may have a plastic storage box or a recycling box.
This should keep the hog safe while you seek further help, and for transportation when you find a rescue.

Please bring the box indoors. Don’t leave it outside where the hedgehog is still vulnerable to flies landing on it and laying eggs. Flystike is a real risk.

Place it somewhere warm.
This is vital if the hedgehog feels cold to the touch or is shaking/wobbling.
If you have a hot water bottle or a leak proof fizzy pop bottle fill with hot water.
Don’t use boiling water.
Now, please wrap the bottle in an old towel and place this at the bottom of the box, under the hedgehog, cover both now with another old towel or fleece.
Keeping the hog covered will refuse the stressors under, stress is a no one killer!

It is vital to make sure that there is room for the hedgehog to move away from the heat source.

If there ain’t a lot of room, please just place the warm bottle beside the hog, rather than under it.

Keep checking on the bottle to make sure it is warm , this is important, if it gets cold it will take heat away from the hedgehog causing more problems.

If you have one, you can use a microwaveable heat pad it can be better, you do need to keep the hedgehog indoors still in a warm room too.

At this point you may offer a shallow dish of water.

PLEASE, Don’t offer food. I know it is tempting but this can kill a starving dehydrated hedgehog.

You can make a Hedgehog some rehydration fluid, his can be offered instead of water:

You will need ;

1 litre warm water with 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt.

Please offer the hedgehog this in a shallow dish.
It may not drink if it’s hypothermic.
Just leave the dish in with the hedgehog.
Please never try to syringe water into a hedgehogs mouth!
It can be taken to the lungs and harm the Hedgehog.

It’s imperative you please now call for some help.

Caring for poorly hedgehogs is absolutely a specialist task, they are very complex indeed.
Don’t be tempted to try and care for it yourself without seeking advice and help from a reputable rescue.

If you have disturbed it found baby hedgehog or a nest with baby hoglets do not touch them with bare hands.
Please wear gloves. This is so your smell is not transferred.
Seek urgent advice before picking up the babies, or doing anything.

A hedgehog rescue can advise whether they are likely to have been abandoned or whether mum may come back. They are at this point best left until advice is sought and a plan of action put into place.

Finding a hedgehog hospital is the best course of action once you’ve found a hedgehog needing help, or if you need advice.
The following info should help you find a rescue.

You can find details of hedgehog/wildlife rescues from the following:

www.helpwildlife.co.uk

You will also find info & advice on what to do if you find sick/injured wildlife in their site.

You may also Call the British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890801 for details of carers.

There is an answer machine with information outside office hours www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk

Why not put the above numbers into your phone !

Do it before you forget, that way you will have the number to hand if you ever need to find a hedgehog rescue quickly.

Another source you may use to find a rescue is the Hedgehog Bottom website has searchable map of rescues, it also includes international hedgehog rescues.

You could also phone The RSPCA’s 24 hour national line on 0300 1234 999.

A specialist hedgehog rescue is the best option when you have a poorly hog, but honestly if you cannot find one to see the hedgehog and especially if the hedgehog looks to be in pain, injured or is shaking,
wobbling, or has Flystike and is poorly. Please, please take it directly to your nearest vet.
They are obliged to see it and make sure it’s not suffering.

Most vets will treat wildlife for free.

Hope this info helps.

Happy Hedgehog Watching

With love
Amanda & the Hedgehogs

07/10/2021

Leave the leaves – top tips for wildlife gardening for as we head towards the golden months.

30/09/2021

Please be careful when doing any work in the garden! Hedgehogs love to hide in overgrowth and under things.

Many people are busy in their gardens getting them ready for Autumn & Winter. Please can you make sure you check any areas before using a strimmer, mower or a spade/fork as hedgehogs love to rest or nest in your garden's untidy places.
Thanks to Willows Hedgehog Rescue for this great graphic 🙂

04/08/2021

As a rescue we are capacity at the moment. If you have found a hedgehog that you think needs help, look here: www.helpwildlife.co.uk or take the hedgehog to Cromwell Vets in Huntingdon as they can help.
So many rescue centres are in the same situation at the moment with no more space. Please support them by donating money or from their wishlists.

HelpWildlife.co.uk offers advice on when and how to help wildlife casualties, publishes a directory of rescue organisations who can help, and provides free advice about resolving conflicts with unwelcome wildlife humanely and effectively. If you have found an injured bird or animal then time is...

04/08/2021

Join me tomorrow night live to find out how to help hedgehogs during the summer. I also have lots of other fabulous events coming up including my open house and garden on Saturday 21 August. My garden is small but packed with wildlife friendly features. Come and meet me, have a cuppa, check out my handmade jewellery and take a look round the garden. In other news, mad busy with hedgehogs as always. Maggot hog survived the night. Alison (Easingwold foster carer) has taken in two hedgehogs this morning. A large male trapped in a spring trap (for rats) and another. If you are able to help get the total on this fundraiser to £1,000 this will enable us to buy two incubators - one for Lynn in York and one for Alison in Easingwold. Although neither are rescues, they often take in sick hedgehogs before they can be moved on to me. Also hedgehogs in care can sometimes go downhill. An incubator at each location will help save prickly lives. Huge thank you! Oh, for info on my events please see the events tab on this page. Thank you again and here is the fundraising link: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lynnbrownhedgehogcare

29/07/2021

Thank you for being kind to hedgehogs, please make sure you know the right things to put out for them.

It is great that so many people help out hedgehogs by putting out food and water for them. 😃
However, there are certain foods that really should not be given as can be seen in this graphic from Bertie's R&R - Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release