https://helpwildlife.co.uk/map/
FOUND A SICK/INJURED HEDGEHOG ???
Pick them up with gloves, wrap in a towel (preferably light coloured) and place in a high sided box. Remember, all hedgehogs are Harry Houdini's until proven otherwise! Make sure you take the box inside and leave in a quiet room away from loud noises. Do NOT leave it outside.
Provide them with a hot-water bottle (Not scalding hot, just warm) or even better if you have a pet microwavable heat pad. Allow extra space inside the box to allow them to move away from the heat source if they become too hot.
If you are not local to London Colney, then please call the BHPS (British Hedgehog Preservation Society) - 01584 890 801 for further advice and numbers of local carers/rescues.
If out of hours there is an answerphone, press option 1.
The rescue is now full, please read below
We are sadly unable to admit any new arrivals, however when hedgehogs have recovered and are no longer needing treatment, space will become available.
This website is not updated daily, so please do call to see if space is available.
Please visit: https://helpwildlife.co.uk/map/ to find an alternate hedgehog rescue
07867 567 464 (London Colney - London Colney Hedgehog Rescue)
07436 051 335 (Hemel Hempstead - The Spikey Sanctuary)
If the hedgehog is clearly injured then please contact your local veterinary practice to arrange taking it to them.
Please accept our apologies, but there is only so much space that we have and limited time to treat them in. We are currently looking after more than 80 hedgehogs which is above our capacity.
We will remove this message when we have some empty cages.
Don't delay! The quicker you act, the more chance the hedgehog has of surviving. :-)
If the hedgehog is active, you can offer it some meaty dog/cat food, cat biscuits and water. NO milk. If the hedgehog is in a collapsed state then please don't offer food, just get to a rescue quickly.
Even if you would like to over-winter a hedgehog, you should seek professional advice and get the hedgehog checked over by an experienced carer first. Hedgehogs are masters at hiding an illness and an experienced carer will know what signs to look for.
* Hedgehogs seen out during the day need help fast.
(The only exception is in the summer time which could be a lactating female. The difference is, she will be busy with nesting material in her mouth, look alert and be fast. It should not be wobbling or just lying there. Hedgehogs do NOT sunbathe and any seen wobbling, lethargic or that have flies buzzing around, need help fast!
Do not relocate a hedgehog without speaking to a rescue first. You could actually be taking a female hedgehog away from its young, or you may think the area is suitable for a hedgehog, but it may actually be putting it to its death and you could actually be breaking the law. Hedgehogs do not live in dense woodland or open fields as many people think. They mainly live in peoples gardens and thrive within the habitat.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION;
Worms
All hedgehogs have worms (internal parasites) that live in harmony with the hedgehog, but when a hedgehog is sick, injured or in captivity, the slightest bit of stress will cause the worms to multiply and the hedgehog will not be able to cope with them any longer. The worms become a burden and if left untreated, sadly will kill the hedgehog.
Unfortunately there is no wormer on the market that gets rid of all internal parasites. There are different treatments for different types.
A poo sample is needed for testing under a microscope to determine which parasites are present.
We do poo testing here and can provide treatment for all internal parasites.
Fleas
Do NOT use any cat/dog flea treatments on a hedgehog. Frontline has been known to be toxic to hedgehogs and there has been many reports of fatalities, so do NOT use.
Very few hedgehogs these days have fleas. In 2014 we rescued just over 80 hedgehogs and no more than 10 had fleas. 2 were infested and the other had just a few.
Hedgehog fleas are host specific and cannot and will NOT live on your pets. They might jump onto your pet, but will soon jump off and will wait for the next hog to pass by.
Ticks
Do NOT attempt to remove the tick yourself unless using a proper tick remover (You can buy these from the vets). Do NOT put anything onto the tick thinking that it will kill it. It can cause the tick to regurgitate its contents back into the hedgehog which can be harmful and even cause death.
Maggots / Flystrike (eggs)
Maggots can be picked off with tweezers and the eggs can be brushed off. Flies will even lay eggs on a hedgehog that has no wound. These are normally the poor ones that are out during the day.
All maggots and fly eggs MUST be removed. Yes, maggots are good for eating the bad infected bits but unfortunately the maggots will not just stop there, they will continue to eat good flesh, eyes and enter through ears, mouth, nose, bum etc. This is an awful way to die so please act quickly and get the hedgehog to a rescue/carer immediately.
Found a hedgehog in your garden?
Please do not try to relocate or move a hedgehog to a different area. It is very important that they are not relocated to a wood. If the hedgehog is in immediate danger please speak to a local hedgehog rescue for advice first. The hedgehog could have babies close by and many areas do not have the right natural food or habitat. Also, some areas have a high population of badgers and sadly badgers can predate hedgehogs. If you accidentally disturb a hibernating hedgehog please cover it up exactly how you found it and leave alone.
Protecting hedgehogs from predators
Foxes and badgers do not mix well with hedgehogs and should not be fed in the open together. It is unnatural bringing a predator and prey species so close together, when normally the prey species would avoid predators. You may think of Disneyland and that they are all happy together but sadly it is not the case.
It is not true that a well-fed fox won't attack a hedgehog - unfortunately, they often do. Just like a fat pet cat will still catch a bird. They are hunters. Providing food for badgers will also not deter one from eating a hedgehog. We have CCTV and witnesses to plenty of food being left out for badgers, but the badger still chose to eat the hedgehog. Hedgehogs have also been taken from flimsy plastic feeding stations, even though food was plentiful inside. Hedgehogs are a natural food for badgers and its wrong to say they will only eat one as a last resort.
Fox injuries inflicted on hedgehogs are the most common injury for arrivals here. Broken rear legs or a grab bite to the head. Over the years we have accumulated lots or CCTV and Trail camera footage sent to us from members of the public who have witnessed the unfortunate attacks.
Many of those said they have fed both foxes and hedgehogs together for years without any problems. Just because you don't see it happen does not mean that it doesn't and will not happen...so be warned!
Feeding hedgehogs and foxes together can make the hedgehog feel that the fox is a safe animal to be close to can let down its guard. Hedgehogs should be on guard at all times to protect themselves. Mr fox 4 doors down, may not be so kind.
It is best to feed hedgehogs in safety by feeding them in a "predator proof feeding station". Hedgehogs should not be led to believe that it is safe to be near to a potential predator.
We also discourage people from hand feeding hedgehogs. Foxes should also not be hand fed in the wild.
We have to remind people that these are wild animals, therefore should not be tamed in any way, because we also have to remember that not all humans are so nice! Enjoy wildlife, but from a distance. and remember we are only topping up their natural diet.
Thank you!
The LCHR Team :-)
Pick them up with gloves, wrap in a towel (preferably light coloured) and place in a high sided box. Remember, all hedgehogs are Harry Houdini's until proven otherwise! Make sure you take the box inside and leave in a quiet room away from loud noises. Do NOT leave it outside.
Provide them with a hot-water bottle (Not scalding hot, just warm) or even better if you have a pet microwavable heat pad. Allow extra space inside the box to allow them to move away from the heat source if they become too hot.
If you are not local to London Colney, then please call the BHPS (British Hedgehog Preservation Society) - 01584 890 801 for further advice and numbers of local carers/rescues.
If out of hours there is an answerphone, press option 1.
The rescue is now full, please read below
We are sadly unable to admit any new arrivals, however when hedgehogs have recovered and are no longer needing treatment, space will become available.
This website is not updated daily, so please do call to see if space is available.
Please visit: https://helpwildlife.co.uk/map/ to find an alternate hedgehog rescue
07867 567 464 (London Colney - London Colney Hedgehog Rescue)
07436 051 335 (Hemel Hempstead - The Spikey Sanctuary)
If the hedgehog is clearly injured then please contact your local veterinary practice to arrange taking it to them.
Please accept our apologies, but there is only so much space that we have and limited time to treat them in. We are currently looking after more than 80 hedgehogs which is above our capacity.
We will remove this message when we have some empty cages.
Don't delay! The quicker you act, the more chance the hedgehog has of surviving. :-)
If the hedgehog is active, you can offer it some meaty dog/cat food, cat biscuits and water. NO milk. If the hedgehog is in a collapsed state then please don't offer food, just get to a rescue quickly.
Even if you would like to over-winter a hedgehog, you should seek professional advice and get the hedgehog checked over by an experienced carer first. Hedgehogs are masters at hiding an illness and an experienced carer will know what signs to look for.
* Hedgehogs seen out during the day need help fast.
(The only exception is in the summer time which could be a lactating female. The difference is, she will be busy with nesting material in her mouth, look alert and be fast. It should not be wobbling or just lying there. Hedgehogs do NOT sunbathe and any seen wobbling, lethargic or that have flies buzzing around, need help fast!
Do not relocate a hedgehog without speaking to a rescue first. You could actually be taking a female hedgehog away from its young, or you may think the area is suitable for a hedgehog, but it may actually be putting it to its death and you could actually be breaking the law. Hedgehogs do not live in dense woodland or open fields as many people think. They mainly live in peoples gardens and thrive within the habitat.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION;
Worms
All hedgehogs have worms (internal parasites) that live in harmony with the hedgehog, but when a hedgehog is sick, injured or in captivity, the slightest bit of stress will cause the worms to multiply and the hedgehog will not be able to cope with them any longer. The worms become a burden and if left untreated, sadly will kill the hedgehog.
Unfortunately there is no wormer on the market that gets rid of all internal parasites. There are different treatments for different types.
A poo sample is needed for testing under a microscope to determine which parasites are present.
We do poo testing here and can provide treatment for all internal parasites.
Fleas
Do NOT use any cat/dog flea treatments on a hedgehog. Frontline has been known to be toxic to hedgehogs and there has been many reports of fatalities, so do NOT use.
Very few hedgehogs these days have fleas. In 2014 we rescued just over 80 hedgehogs and no more than 10 had fleas. 2 were infested and the other had just a few.
Hedgehog fleas are host specific and cannot and will NOT live on your pets. They might jump onto your pet, but will soon jump off and will wait for the next hog to pass by.
Ticks
Do NOT attempt to remove the tick yourself unless using a proper tick remover (You can buy these from the vets). Do NOT put anything onto the tick thinking that it will kill it. It can cause the tick to regurgitate its contents back into the hedgehog which can be harmful and even cause death.
Maggots / Flystrike (eggs)
Maggots can be picked off with tweezers and the eggs can be brushed off. Flies will even lay eggs on a hedgehog that has no wound. These are normally the poor ones that are out during the day.
All maggots and fly eggs MUST be removed. Yes, maggots are good for eating the bad infected bits but unfortunately the maggots will not just stop there, they will continue to eat good flesh, eyes and enter through ears, mouth, nose, bum etc. This is an awful way to die so please act quickly and get the hedgehog to a rescue/carer immediately.
Found a hedgehog in your garden?
Please do not try to relocate or move a hedgehog to a different area. It is very important that they are not relocated to a wood. If the hedgehog is in immediate danger please speak to a local hedgehog rescue for advice first. The hedgehog could have babies close by and many areas do not have the right natural food or habitat. Also, some areas have a high population of badgers and sadly badgers can predate hedgehogs. If you accidentally disturb a hibernating hedgehog please cover it up exactly how you found it and leave alone.
Protecting hedgehogs from predators
Foxes and badgers do not mix well with hedgehogs and should not be fed in the open together. It is unnatural bringing a predator and prey species so close together, when normally the prey species would avoid predators. You may think of Disneyland and that they are all happy together but sadly it is not the case.
It is not true that a well-fed fox won't attack a hedgehog - unfortunately, they often do. Just like a fat pet cat will still catch a bird. They are hunters. Providing food for badgers will also not deter one from eating a hedgehog. We have CCTV and witnesses to plenty of food being left out for badgers, but the badger still chose to eat the hedgehog. Hedgehogs have also been taken from flimsy plastic feeding stations, even though food was plentiful inside. Hedgehogs are a natural food for badgers and its wrong to say they will only eat one as a last resort.
Fox injuries inflicted on hedgehogs are the most common injury for arrivals here. Broken rear legs or a grab bite to the head. Over the years we have accumulated lots or CCTV and Trail camera footage sent to us from members of the public who have witnessed the unfortunate attacks.
Many of those said they have fed both foxes and hedgehogs together for years without any problems. Just because you don't see it happen does not mean that it doesn't and will not happen...so be warned!
Feeding hedgehogs and foxes together can make the hedgehog feel that the fox is a safe animal to be close to can let down its guard. Hedgehogs should be on guard at all times to protect themselves. Mr fox 4 doors down, may not be so kind.
It is best to feed hedgehogs in safety by feeding them in a "predator proof feeding station". Hedgehogs should not be led to believe that it is safe to be near to a potential predator.
We also discourage people from hand feeding hedgehogs. Foxes should also not be hand fed in the wild.
We have to remind people that these are wild animals, therefore should not be tamed in any way, because we also have to remember that not all humans are so nice! Enjoy wildlife, but from a distance. and remember we are only topping up their natural diet.
Thank you!
The LCHR Team :-)