Hedgehugs Hedgehog Rescue

PLEASE RELEASE ME SET ME FREE

Well the process has begun -- and today more hogs are leaving us for gardens where they will be fed and watered and probably spoiled . Three more are going on friday and our last baby from last year --LITTLE JOE has been offered a safe garden which is fantastic .Joe is one of four and completely hand reared --but is almost blind so really needed the right person to go to --pauline will shed a tear or two but it sgreat for little joe .More hogs have awoken today and they are very small and will need some serious building up before we can let them go . We still have several cages asleep but expect them to be waking this weekend .-- our latest addition -PUDDIN is settling in well and on a diet --HE has an old fracture in his back leg but is only around a year old -- so we will be keeping him to assess him and see if he is suitable for a wild release --or to a safe garden .Quite what his history is w edont know a s he has come to us from a crime scene and it s an unpleasant story --but he seems very well --just a bit fat !!!

HOME AGAIN HOME AGAIN

Four releases tonight and what a joy to see them scuttle off under sheds and piles of twigs .People often ask us if we find it hard to let them go?do we worry about them ? YES YES WE DO !! But all the hogs that come to us would have died -- we send them out as well and a s fat as we can to the best possible release sites --it s a second chance and it s the best w ecan do /.Yes it is awful if they come back in in a poor state and yes some wont survive --but if you could ask a hedgehog --"WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE IN A RESCUE OR IN THE WILD ?-"-what do you think they wouldsay ?? There is only one answer.Tonight four little hogs are out exploring piles of grass and hedges / sniffing the night air -- running where they like and possibly looking for a mate -- its how it should be and w e wish them luck !!

HOG SORT
Today was spent sorting hogs in to who can go /who is too small /who needs medication etc and of course today was the day that at least two hogs developed the dreaded cough --it always happens --the minute they know they are about to be released they start coughing --so plans have had to be changed on two of them already .More hogs are going over the next few days and with this light rain it s perfect and mild enough to give them a good start . TARQUIN and puddin ARE NOT BEING RELEASED --tarkers stays with us and w e are still observing puddin--and we have a select band of little scraps who just dont seem to get any bigger --but it will be lovely to get the n umbers down in the garage to a manageable level for the next few months .

IT was chaos in the garage today --hogs being bathed /hogs packed up for collection /hogs being weighed /hogs starting on lungworm as well as the usual cleaning out --dont know how we did it even with three of us it s been hard going ,The good news is that a huge pile of empty cages have gone into storage and w ehave managed to get rid of all the spare tables that were piled up with double decker hogs. We still have alot to do and the baths are very time consuming --but at least we can move in the garage now .We have a tleast three on lungworm and around 8 on baths so this will make ahole in the budget but has to be done before they can be released .So even more little souls are sniffing under bushes and scoffing bugs this weekend and it s what it s all about

E WEEKEND

SEEMS while pauline was playing with her bucket and spade at the seaside --it s all been happening in the hedgehog world --LAST YEAR our oldest hog SQUEAKY woke up from a long hibernation and ate like a little pig for two whole weeks .Now he was the forerunner of our TARQUIN and much loved, b ut just after this he became listless and stopped eating --and nothing we did made any difference--one morning pauline just found him dead in his nest -- looking as if he was just taking a nap The sad facts are that most hedgehogs die in the first few weeks of life , of those that make it to a year a huge percentage die in their first hibernation --if they survive that they have alife expectancy of around 18 months to two years --grim facts but true ones .Given all this -- we ALWAYS have our work cut out rescuing them -- we can only give them that second chance and sometimes whatever we do it isnt enough and w e lose them .Of course w e beat ourselves up wondering WHY WHY -but there isnt an answer it just happens and it s the hardest thing to cope with when dealing with animals particularly wildlife /we have our hearts broken all the time but we keep on doing what w e can and we DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE .WE HAVE TO BE GLAD FOR THE HOGS THAT MAKE IT-- but never forget the ones we worked so hard for and lost

LITTLE JOES BIG GOODBYE


Last summer a nest of hoglets arrived--approx 2-3 days old and we set to work knowing the odds were against us .Two hourly feeds day and night /the ultimate in hygiene and sheer exhaustion and all w as going well .At 11 days the eyes were due to open --on that day two opened their eyes and two didnt -- over the next 48 hours w e lost both of the "blind" hogs and we were devasted but clearly it was a developmental problem with the babies .MEG and little JOE were the survivors and now doubly precious ,Joe seemed to require a lot of stimulation to feed and became a pest to his sister uptipping bowls and blundering about and he also formed a strong attachment to pauline .This was abit worrying but both hogs put on weight and eventually MEG got sick of her brother and refused to even look at him !!.Joe carried on being a right little wimp and w e began to wonder if he would ever cope in the wild --it was then we discovered that little JOE also had problems seeing and his wayward behaviour was the result of this .Meg went out to a foster carer and JOE stayed at the rescue .Over the winter he hibernated and AWOKE tolerating pauline and hating wendy and everyone else .We decided a safe garden would be best for him --and on MONDAY he goes to his new home .Joe would not cope fending for himself and this is the best we can do for him--will we be sad --well pauline will -- anyway-- wendy has had enough of his partying all night at her end of the garage and the delight he takes in doing huge poos as soon a s she has cleaned his cage ,He is such a clever little hedgehog --he learned to do all this all by himself --GOODBYE and GOOD LUCK JOE !!

POO SPOTTED

Yes folks it s all happening here in sleepy old wakefield with great excitement as pauline spotted not one but two lots of hedgehog poo in two different locations --thrilling or what ?.One little dollop was by the rescue gate --so someone is back and then to cap it all good old comet the garden hog has woken up and is back trundling around the garden and attracting the attention of the five amorous frogs in the pond .Now we all know our comet is not that sort of girl so we hope she isnt too offended by the frisky goings on in the night garden .Pauline is now on hogwatch -- armed with a jug of water to chase off the pesky cat that has somehow limboed into the feeder box .Comet looks ok if abit thin but she has a cough so will be treated as an outpatient --dont laugh but w e even do her a treatment card !!.Joe has packed his bags and gone and we had a fun time tonight reminiscing over
his baby days and how cute he was--bless him --wonder what he is up to tonight ?

GO WILD FOR HEDGEHOGS

Quite often we visit gardens and the owners are so apologetic for "THE MESS"" and we are delighted --shrubs /piles of logs /compost heaps /weeds /broken down sheds .long grass unkempt areas--RESULT hedgehog heaven and they will love you for it --add a small shallow pond ./grasses (esp pampas grass is a favourite )piles of garden clutter ./unfashionable plants that go abit mad /things to hide under/leave grass as long as you can in some areas --abandon the strimmer /put up with the odd slug or two /add a hedgehog box and wait !! While w e cant guarantee you will get a resident you will be setting the scene for a spiky lodger --.it took pauline years to ge t hogs to visit her garden and the rest as they say is history .Whatever the outcome you will attract more wildlife and have less gardening to do--everyones a winner !! small bowls of water can be a lifesaver for all wildlife but hogs especially are waking up dehydrated this year .Now we dont advocate sitting in the garden for hours at night as some folk do --name supplied !!! but it is a way to see what goes on .We tend to think that the outside space is ours but that just isnt so --theres a whole wild world waiting to nip in and take advantage --good luck and please bin the strimmers we hate em !!!

INS AND OUTS AT HEDGEHUGS

IN are small cute hogs /tidier cages /nice people who help us/ frogs spawning in the garden /garden hogs who poo in the same little toliet spot/papers without staples in/fresh air !!!/and empty hutches/wool /cake /and good coffee


OUTS ARE-- big fat hogs who plaster the walls /cobwebs in corners /strimmers /daft ponds with no way out /slug pellets /naughty juvenile hogs who wreck the cages /hogs who ge tunder the papers and tip bowls up and are old enough to know better(tarkers)/cats who ge t in the hog feeders /blackbirds who ge t in the hog feeders /molly dog who nips in the garage for a quick snack of who knows what and everything else that interferes with wool and cake .

NEW ARRIVAL

ANDY of HEDGE AGAINST THE MACHINE fame has brought us a pathetic little hog --covered in tiny ticks, struggling to breatheand with a cut to its little nose .This is an example of a newly woken hog who has used up all its resources and to be fair it will be a miracle if she survives,She weighs in at just 400 gm and w ehave her tucked up on aheat pad and are doing what we can .I cant think of a more depressing start to the hedgehog year than this one --we know already how tough it is going to be for them --please feed the ones coming to your garden --it can make all the difference .We have an autumn juvenile going back out this weekend --she came in tiny and cold and is going out big and fat to alocal garden --no doubt she will find her way back to the rescue feeder box --most of them round here seem to. We are s till waging war on the cats --pauline has now put a big hedgehog shaped boot scraper by the door to block it but the local moggies seem to be coming equipped with block and tackle and crow bars --back to the water pistol folks !!!

Tarquin enjoying the garden today

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Our new arrival

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LIFE IN THE OLD HOG YET

Tarquin had an hour in the garden today --closely supervised because of the pond and was ambling around in his usual dopey way --he spent ages in the log pile till he realised he was stuck and then came out sniffed the air and was off like a rocket .He had clearly picked up a scent --and was off in pursuit . It can only have been the scent of comet as he was straight off on comets usual path and looking very spritely for an old chap .We are sure he had a rogueish glint in his eye and it sprobaby done him a world of good .Tonight he is tucked up again and we can only wonder what he is dreaming about !!!
MEANWHILE our new arrival LITTLE HUB is doing really well after a rough start and today we watched her polish off two good bowls of food .We are still being very cautious and the next few days willlbe crucial as she starts to eat again but so far so good and she is mega cute and feisty--she is also very particular about her bedding and took a lot of tucking in before the towlels were to her liking -- what does she think this is --some sort of hoggy premier inn or what !!

BAD NEWS

sorry folks going a bit mad on here tonight but we have just heard of yet another hog rescue which is closing and that is such sad news. Wish we could hear of just a s many opening but we never do. Thank you to everyone that supports us and keeps us going --we cant do it without you and the hedgehog population needs us more than ever .We wish you could see when alittle starving hog come s in almost dead and then starts to respond and eat and perk up --it is such a joy and aboost to us,Everyone loves hedgehogs and wherever we go people say the same thing --" oh w e used to have loads but never see any now "--how true is that !!!Its such a shame to see another rescue go but such are the times w e live in and it s such hard work --but imagine a world without hedgehogs --we cant !!

I really like these posts about other Wilde rescues shows lots of people trying to help

LITTLE HUB LATEST

Our latest arrival is doing really well -- w e now have proper poo and she is breathing much better --still picky about he r bedand had abit of a sulk on today but has come round now and demolished another bowl of supper --its looking good and we remain hopeful .Thanks to becks and nikki for giving wendy ahand today -we still have alot of hogs in and it was good to have help with the cleaning and the baths -- we jus t hope we will be able to release more at the end of the week -- esp as family matters are looming large for both of us - and things are difficult at the moment .

ITS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

Forget christmas ,forget birthdays /bank holidays and summer breaks --IT S THE BESTEST TIME EVER--ITS RELEASE TIME HOORAY AND AMEN SAY ALL OF US !

This weekend sees the really big" time to go "--push with so many hogs going back to their homes--We have been bathing /worming /spraying /scrubbing and weighing the little monkeys and quite alot are good solid little puddings and raring to go .Do they give us a backward look --NO --do they appreciate the hours of work and all the dosh thats gone into keeping em all winter NO --Do they care a jot NO NO!!!!We still have some asleep /some with fosterers /and some sickly ones whose future is a bit uncertain /some who need to go to different homes and some who will have to stay and fatten up abit .--but over all its not looking too bad .COMET the garden hog ha s been spring cleaned and looks ok if a bit dehydrated --she is an old girl now --at 3 and needs abit of pampering --mind you we are a couple of old girls and w e need a lot of pampering!!!!!!!

LETS HEAR IT FOR TEAM WENDY !!!

It s all been appening at HEDGEHUGS AS WENDY got into turbo drive on the releases -an d hogs were shipped out faster than you can say SONIC THE HEDGEHOG -- all to excellent homes and all very fat --thats the hogs not the homes --dont want to offend our gorgeous carers .Wendy was ably assisted by two pals from the wildlife rescue where we used to help out and they have done a fantastic job-- so a huge thank you to all for giving up their weekend to clean and muck out the hoggies

MEANWHILE a very important event has occurred today --it s year since TARQUIN arrived at the rescue --the rest --as they say --is history

THE TROUBLE WITH LITTER

Paulines husband JOHN ha s been helping in THE GREAT BEACH CLEAN UP this weekend-- and it raises again the problem of litter especially plastic --.Every year we get wildlife injured /tangled /killed /choking on bottle tops /swallowing hooks and line/heads stuck in plastic ties and it is so heartbreaking to see and deal with .The majority of the stuff picked up today wa splastic --bags /bottle caps /ties/-- and its all lethal in the environment. All wildlife rescuers will tell you of the horrors of birds with hooks in their throats /animals strangled by cords and choked on bottle tops --we have had our fair share here and it s tragic .With HEDGEHOG AWARENESS week coming up next week --please watch out for litter that can be a death trap not just to hogs but to all wildlife -- they cant thank you for picking it up but we all do --and well done to all the folk who have been combing beaches this past week -- wonder if anyone found any treasure !!

LIFE WITH HEDGEHOGS --

1--Never expect to finish any personal project --becks has knit one sock and w eare very proud of her but w eknow the awful truth --namely there will only ever be ONE SOCK !!

2- Expect to have a bin permanently teeming with rubbish to go to the tip

3--BECOME obsessed with hand hygiene /worms and nasties

4--Never ever get the car /bike /gardening stuff in the garage again

5-Play hunt the poo spot in the garden.

6--GET used to the smell .

7Have your best plants dug up and dragg ed in to houses for bedding,

8Never get a lie in --spend the first two hours of every morning mucking out ,

9--Ceased to be amazed at just how mucky hedgehogs are,

10--Have a queue at the gate each night waiting to be fed .

11--Wage war against all the local thieving cats .12- W orry constantly about cars

13--GE T USED TO EATING BEANS ON TOAST

14--never get a holiday --sore point that one .

15 -- be misunderstood by family and friends .

16 --be constantly raising money .

17 --live at the vets .

18 cope with maggots /fleas /worms and ticks.

AND IF YOU CAN DO ALL THAT AND STILL KEEP SMILING YOU WILL MAKE AVERY GOOD HEDGEHOG RESCUER -- you will also need a long suffering family / superhuman health /no social life and boundless energy -anyone still interested in setting a rescue up !!!!

I could do all of them .. like this post .x

HEDGEHOGS TO GO GO GO
Weare now into full release mode --alison broughton --if you see this --did you say you could give mrs bitey a home --we also have ahedgehog house ready to collect and I think it was you who wanted one --can you ge tback to us --its a bit manic here to say the least but we are doing our best to ge t hogs out to the right people --and v ery quickly now --got several we cant keep any longer as they are becoming restless and they need to go very soon

WHERE HAVE ALL THE HEDGEHOGS GONE ?

We are now into may -- and still getting reports from our regular release sites of very few --if any --hogs being about .This is not only worrying but also discouraging as w e have spent the past four years building up populations in certain areas and it s looking as if the past two bad winters have taken their toll.Of course some may still be asleep --it is possible --but even so they will be terribly underweight and vulnerable by now .Even here at the rescue not one of our regulars has returned and it s very hard to know what we can do --if anything .A new survey ha s been commissioned this year to track hog numbers and we expect it to produce alarming results.--showing an even further decline in the population .I f you do have a hog visiting please get the food bowls out --and watch the media as we think theres going to be a lot of discussion about the desperate state of britains wildlife .

IN PRAISE OF OUR WINTER CARERS

WE HAVE A HUGE TEAM OF FOLK WHO TAKE TINY SCRAPPY HOGS KEEP THEM OVER WINTER FEED EM UP AND BRING THEM BACK FOR RELEASE--this week they are all coming back in --fat and healthy and with a glint in their eyes--ready to go and if w ehad before and after pictures the remarkable results could be seen .Little frosty found out in the early winter --grossly underweight /Puzzle huddled in the box where she had been born --mum long gone --and she was struggling to survive .Rebecca-- tiny and thin and almost dead with less than a 30 % chance of survival.HARVEY way too tiny to manage the winter and out in the cold /ORCHARD found tiny and cold near abird feeder just as the weather turned nasty-- these are just a few of them and all are going back out this week .So a HUGE THANK YOU to all our team of foster carers who have had ahard time getting weight on some of the most pathetic youngsters we have had for a long time -- you have all done an amazing job --WELL DONE !!