Hedgehog Hospital Appeal

Scouse Hog Hospital seeks aid.

Here at Freshfields Animal Rescue centre we act as Liverpool’s own hedgehog hospital! Freshfields wildlife unit has been inundated with the little creatures over the last 12 months. Each of which has come in for a different reason. Amongst them there have been amputees, maggot-infestation, those scalped by equipment, abscess-laden, tiny orphans, those with skin infections to those that were victims of road traffic injuries.

Over £10,000 allocated for hog hospital work

The centre works by isolation and treatment of those brought in, with an average length of hospitalisation being 12 weeks. The centre releases rehabilitated hedgehogs onto safe sites. The release only takes place at designated sites when the hogs are of an optimum body weight. If they do not reach the optimum weight for hibernation then they are not released and are over wintered on site until the warmer spring weather. There have been 100 individual hedgehogs admitted in 2007 and at present there are 35 on site. In 2006 the survival rate of the hedgehogs brought into the centre was 69%. Just this part of the shelters work costs £103.49 for one individual. Over £10,000 has been allocated to this work.

Curled up hedgehog

Liverpool has a breeding population of hogs, which are in decline due to road mortality, pesticides, gardening chemicals, rebuilding, poor diversity of wild gardening patches offering much needed shelter and hibernation.

Case histories:
"He may well have lost a leg but he certainly hasn’t lost is appetite!"

Of the many disabled hogs released into enclosed gardens, pharmacist Karen Stephens looks after a blind female. The hedgehog had a prolapsed eye and navigates solely by smell and eats regular as clockwork! Karen says, “She does her own thing. There is lots of space for her and we all enjoy seeing her bustling about.”

Another amazing individual is Robin Reliant, a 3 legged amputee from Wallasey, Wirral. Since the operation he has adapted fantastically well, and is having no trouble scrabbling about, even though he is only into his third week of post surgery treatment. He has healed really well and is finding life just as wonderful as ever. He may well have lost a leg but he certainly hasn’t lost is appetite! Full of life and character, the charity is confident that in the spring he will be picnicking in a suburban garden in Merseyside.  As with many of the individuals dealt with, the unfortunate accident that left Robin having to have one of his legs removed could have been avoided. One thing the centre has noticed is the public’s lack of knowledge of hedgehogs and what they should do to help them. So the hog hospital is asking the public for four things:

You can help us to help the hogs

1. Hogs out in the daytime should be taken to a vet straightaway. Leave it too long and it could deteriorate fast as being out in the daytime is a sign of them being ill.
2. Extreme caution is a must when it comes to using strimmers and mowers in long grass. Most gardening injuries are fatal.
3. Always leave that rough patch at the bottom of the garden, that big pile of leaves and brambles will be shelter for all sorts.
4. Sponsor a hog’s stay with us for £103 this will pay for 3 months respite.
   (Click on the donate button on the left and follow the instructions)

Breakdown of treatment costs...

...of an individual hedgehog based on a 12 week stay at the rescue

Staff time, Cleaning, Medical check 91p daily £6.37 weekly		£76.44
Food: tinned, dry £1.70 weekly		£20.40
Worming, parasite control, Routine medications, treatment  programmes		£0.73
Heating, lighting 11p weekly		£1.32
Equipment usage- Release pens, caging, carriers, scales, transport		£4.60
	TOTAL	£103.49

Thank you, as always for your support.