The Hog Hotline call us on 07518 354408
Don't wait if you think an animal is in trouble.
Prompt action does make the difference between life and death. Please don't just watch a hog in trouble, it is better to call someone and find out that it is OK, than wait and find out it is too late. The earlier a wild animal in trouble is rescued the better the chance of a happy ending.
New - Photo Album of some of the hedgehogs we have rescued
New - Willows Thoughts short audios and videos on issues facing hedgehogs and wildlife and our work.
In mid 2013 we will be going live with a number of wildlife cameras, video and streams will be available on this page.
Thank you for visiting the Willows Hedgehog Rescue site. We are a self funded hedgehog rescue service dedicated to helping to care for distressed and injured Hedgehogs.
We respond to incidents of injured & ill hedgehogs & orphaned hoglets providing examination, treatment and rehabilitation ensuring that the hedgehogs get the medical attention they need either via our vets in more serious cases or in the majority of cases via ourselves.
We keep them fed and safe in our rescue area and finally in our outdoor pre-release area until they are ready for release back into the wild. Sadly some hedgehogs do sustain injuries that despite ours and our vets best efforts are beyond repair or would cause insurmountable disability and in these cases they have to be euthanized but we ensure that this is carried out humanely and only when absolutely necessary.
Not all of the hedgehogs that come in to us can be returned to the wild. A small proportion - those that are blind or have to have a back leg amputated are relocated to large secure gardens to live as natural a life as possible. We have the experience to know that these hedgehogs can live a next to normal life rather than ending their lives. Any hedghogs placed into secure gardens are left to be wild but are monitored for any stress or issues.
There are many things that everyone can do to help our prickly friends to minimise the chance that they will get into trouble and need rescuing. Please visit the Helping Hogs page to see how you can help.
Hedgehogs are in decline in the UK and have suffered due to many changes: land management, urban encroachment on the countryside, increased road traffic, ignorance, very tidy gardening and from the use of pesticides and netting to name only a few. This has resulted in many displaced and injured hogs. It is our aim to care for these Hedgehogs, to rehabilitate them and return them to the wild where they belong. We also wish to bring these hazards to the attention of everyone to try to make the world a better place for these wonderful, iconic and unique little creatures.
PLEASE HELP TO SUPPORT US.
Even just a couple of pounds helps towards the treatment and daily needs of the hedgehogs in our care.
The cost of running the rescue unit runs into thousands of pounds every year, all of which we rely on fundraising and donations to cover.
HEDGEHOG SURVEY
UK Hedgehog Population in FREEFALL.
The latest reports are even more worrying showing that hedgehog populations are in freefall. We need your help in our initiative to record all possible hedgehog sightings in North Worcestershire and parts of South Birmingham. Please follow the link for further information.
Willows Hedgehog Recording Project
We also give talks and educational visits to schools and groups. We feel that rescue is very important to help our native wildlife but we also believe that the future for our wildlife can only be secured with the involvement of everyone. To this end we give talks and education about what we do as a rescue unit, but we also deliver environmental education looking at the natural world and how we all can make a difference in creating and maintaining the habitats that our native wildlife needs to thrive. For more information please contact us.
Willows Schools Wildlife Garden Project 2013
May 2013 sees the launch of our competition for schools in North Worcestershire and South Birmingham to win wildlife planting and wildlife goodies. Closing date for applications 7th June 2013.
Visit the page for more information and for updates on the project.
Forthcoming Events
We are now booking in our awareness and fund raising events for 2013.
Please check the events page for details and if you can come along and support us.
We are well into spring and hedgehogs are now out of hibernation.
With the changeable weather we are experiencing we are getting a large number of hedgehogs coming in to us. Sadly at this time of year we also seem to admit many hedgehogs with serious injuries.
Please keep an eye out for any hedgehogs out in daylight, or any that are wobbly and falling over.
Spring is also the time when thoughts turn to the long grass in the garden. Please always, always, check long grass, under bushes and compost heaps before carrying out any work in the garden. Many hedgehogs sustain awful injuries and many sadly die from garden fork and strimmer injuries.
You can also help hedgehogs by leaving food and water out for them.
Dry puppy or kitten biscuits are the best in chicken or beef flavours, soft food can be left out as well but will need regularly changing. Place the food bowls under an upturned plastic tub or wooden box with a 4" square hole with the sides smoothed. This lets the hedgehogs get to the food but cats etc can't allowing the hedgehogs to eat in peace & stopping the food being eaten before they can get to it.
Oh and don't forget water is very important, a dish of water can be a life saver.
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Our Basic Standards
- To provide suitable clean accommodation to all animals in with us.
- To provide that accommodation in a secure dedicated stress free rescue area away from human noise and smells.
- To provide the medical attention that the animal requires regardless of cost or time.
- To provide that treatment where the animal has a chance of recovery and ability to survive in the wild or in the case of animals whose injuries are too extensive to euthanize humanly.
- To ensure that the animal is fully recovered before release.
- To release where the animal has the best possible chance of surviving.
For more information about us please visit the About Us page.
Character 'Willow' copyright CharlieCreek 2010 - 13
All photographs, illustrations & content copyright CharlieCreek 2010 - 13
