My name is Jeannette Hampstead. I retired from nursing after 37 years and thought I would enjoy living a life of leisure. How wrong can one person be?

I found a hedgehog in my garden that was obviously ill and could not get any of the local rescues to answer my call for help. On returning from the vet with medication for the hedgehog whom we called Erica, I googled how to give your hedgehog medication. I found a mentor, did a couple of courses. Went to conferences and started my own rescue. My favourite job is caring for the urchins. They are a constant joy when they are here, even though it’s hard work and I get very little sleep.

Here we are a few years down the line taking nearly 300 hedgehogs a year. I have a band of volunteers to whom I am ever grateful and a committee who keep me on the straight and narrow. I could not do any of it without the help of my lovely husband, Graham.

FOUND A SICK HEDGEHOG?

First rule: Don’t panic.

When you encounter a sick hedgehog during the day, it’s crucial not to feed it. The animal is likely hypothermic, seeking warmth from the sun, and may be dehydrated due to diarrhea or infection.

It requires warmth and water, not food. While it might eat, the energy used for digestion could deplete its vital reserves, affecting its internal organs and oxygen circulation.

Wrap the hedgehog in a towel to keep it warm and only provide water for it to lap.

Recovery from hypothermia can take hours, and initiating basic triage can significantly improve its chances of survival. Do not keep the hedgehog or release it based on personal judgment of its recovery. Instead, promptly pass it on to a rescue center or veterinarian.

Call Us Immediately:

01258 818266

07375051404