Today we have seen the first birth of 2020 at the GSPCA and we are delighted to say mum is a hedgehog.
As wonderful as this news is, it marks a time where we need to take extra care when out in the garden as others may have already been born and others will be due in the coming weeks.
Last year at the GSPCA we saw the highest number of hedgehogs come into our care in our history. An amazing 618 were rescued or born at the GSPCA and we have already seen 80 since the beginning of 2020, another record number.
Tamaris a female hedgehog found in St Saviours on Wednesday was out in the day and brought into the GSPCA and the babies were discovered this morning. When we discover a mother hedgehog is giving or has given birth special action is taken to ensure they have the best chance of survival which primarily is leaving them quiet, safe, warm, in a dark enclosure with plenty of bedding, feed and water.
This does highlight the fact that if you see a healthy hedgehog out in the day at this time of year it could be a pregnant hedgehog looking for a nest site or possibly a mother looking for additional food while she is producing her milk and rearing her young.
To donate to the care of Tamaris and her babies and the other animals in our care you can do so over the phone on 01481 257261, online through our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal or sending in by post GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey, GY6 8UD
**IMPORTANT** If you see what looks like a healthy hedgehog out in the day please do take some pictures and/or videos and send them in to us and then call us on 01481 257261 and chose our emergency number for what is the best course of action.
Geoff George GSPCA Ambulance Officer and Head of Hedgehogs said “This morning we have had our first hoglets born of this year.”
“Tamaris is safe and well and we have left her quietly with everything she needs in a warm safe enclosure.”
“We don’t know how many there are at this time but mum and babies looked like they were doing well.”
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “We are delighted to announce the first births at the GSPCA of 2020 but this does highlight the fact that there will likely be other hedgehogs out there with young and those due to give birth.”
“This means its extremely important you take care when tending to your gardens, hedges and rural spaces as hedge rows and scrub areas are often a favourite nesting spot for hedgehogs.”
“Last year we saw the highest number of hedgehogs in our history come into our care at the GSPCA and with such a mild winter we may see another.”
“Between the 1st January and the 22nd April this year we have already had 80 hedgehogs come into our care compared to last year during the same time just 50 which could mean another record breaking year.”
“With mother hedgehogs looking for nesting sites or out and about looking for extra food you may see them during the day so if you are concerned please do get in touch with us for advice.”
“The best thing is to give our emergency number a call on 257261 and also sending some pictures or videos which will not only help with social distancing as a journey may not be needed but could save a nest of baby hedgehogs lives as bringing the mother into the Shelter could put them at risk.”
“We do have a web page full of advice as its not just baby hoglets you may find needing help as we have seen many baby bunnies, young birds, ducklings and fledglings needing help.”
“To visit the page please go to http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/wildlife-advice but the most important thing is to call us on 01481 257261 for advice.”
“To donate to the care of Tamaris and her babies and the other animals in our care you can do so over the phone on 01481 257261, online through our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal or sending in by post.”
“For those wanting to donate food for hedgehogs we use butchers and tinned cat food ideally in jelly and a special treat is they love honey which really helps boost a poorly hedgehog but with these donations rather than bringing them to the Shelter please pop them in the food collection bins at Alliance or the larger Co-ops which have them while the social distancing restrictions are in place.”
“We also have a GSPCA Amazon Wish List https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList but before heading there if you register with Easyfundraising then every purchase we can raise extra donations and to register please visit https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/guernseyspca/ .”
“If you do find a sick, injured or orphaned hedgehog the best thing to do is to pick them up with a towel or something like a jumper to avoid being prickled and popping them in a box with breathing holes or even a bucket and lightly cover them with what you have picked them up with.”
“This is important as hedgehogs can have parasites or possibly ringworm and will help avoid any transmission and then give us a call on our 24/7 GSPCA emergency line through 01481 257261 for the best course of action to take and so we can follow our Coronavirus procedures and safety measures.”
In line with States of Guernsey advice please DO NOT visit the GSPCA if you are over 65, have an underlying health condition or have any symptoms of Coronavirus and only visit us if your visit is essential but before doing so please call us on 01481 257261 or email [email protected] before your trip to the GSPCA to see if we can help without you coming to the Shelter. For the latest information and advice please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/search/node/coronavirus
With huge challenges on our resources and a drop in income from boarding and donations please help us help animals in Guernsey with our #GuernseyCoronavirusCrisisAppeal by donating online via - https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal
During these difficult times help us help animals in need. From donating to Sponsoring a Pen, Buying a Brick for the much needed Wildlife Hospital to our Amazon and main page Wish List, holding a mufti day to a sponsored Christmas dip, here are some of the ways you could help give animals joy.
For lots more ideas on how you can support the shelter and the animals in our care then please visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising
To see a list of our volunteer induction evenings which we hold each month and for more information please visit http://gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or call 257261
To find out more on trips, talks and our education work please email [email protected] or call 01481 257261
Post new comment