HOT WEATHER ADVICE - Help our hedgehogs and check your hedges before cutting

With the exceptionally warm weather due and the recent dry weather it has been exceptionally busy at the GSPCA.

One of the biggest casualties being effected are hedgehogs and the GSPCA is appealing for islanders to do all they can to help our prickly friends.

From dehydrated baby hedgehogs to those covered in fly eggs and maggots we have helped 29 hedgehogs since the start of this month.

It is important that wildlife has access to fresh water in hot weather, especially our hedgehogs and the GSPCA is urging islanders to pop a shallow bowl out to help those thirsty spiky friends.

It is important to put water out and NOT milk as this can make hedgehogs unwell.

Food sources that can also help hedgehogs in this weather is Spikes tinned or trayed hedgehog food which is on sale at local pet stores or tinned cat food.  Tinned wet food helps rehydrate hedgehogs with the moisture content while giving them the nutrients they require.

We have had a number of hedgehogs found with injuries from strimmers, lawn mowers and hedge cutters and it is important to help hedgehogs by checking the areas you are cutting before you start.

For those hedgehogs in gardens that are not so lucky, they often find their cuts quickly covered in the warm weather with flies laying their eggs which hatch into maggots.

If you find any sick or injured hedgehogs then they will need the help of the GSPCA.

The easiest way to pick up a prickly hedgehog is by covering them with a towel, jumper or coat so you don’t get spiked and then placing them into a box or container with air holes.

The GSPCA in St Andrews is manned 24/7 and our 24/7 emergency helpline for our Animal Ambulance is 257261.

With 68 hedgehogs currently in our care and with our foster carers hand rearing, we are extremely busy caring for many that are already sick or injured with more coming in every day and night.

It is important if you see a hedgehog out during the day to give us a call for advice as it may well need help as they are rarely awake foraging during daylight hours, although mothers occasionally can be seen in the day trying to eat extra to help care for their young.

With an average 700 hedgehogs through the doors each year last year and 143 through the doors already this year we want to thank all those that have found hedgehogs in need and rescued them and also to those that help hedgehogs by putting out fresh food, water and even hedgehog houses as well as keeping wild areas for them to live and use.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “The last few weeks we have been extremely busy and especially with baby birds and very dehydrated hedgehogs and many found with injuries from gardening tools.”

“All of the GSPCA team are appealing to islanders to think about pets and wildlife during this exceptionally warm weather.”

“We have seen so many hedgehogs being cut by garden tools and covered by maggots, babies weak from dehydration and many over burdened in ticks and fleas.”

“We are now into the very busy hedgehog period that we see each year as many babies are born and many are injured by gardening.”

“From putting out fresh water for hedgehogs to wet food like Spikes or tinned cat food, you can really help.”

“There are many other great snacks they like, but with the warm weather food with moisture content is much better for them.”

"Last night Buddy was found on hise own covered in fleas, ticks and very dehydrated and at only 5 to 6 weeks of age was very poorly and hungry."

"He was found about 8pm last night in St Andrews and is now doing well with other hoglets." (Buddy is pictured)

“We are on site at the GSPCA 24/7 and have our emergency line 257261 so if you find a hedgehog in need we are here to help.”

For advice on what to do if you see a wild animal injured or sick please call 257261 or check out these helpful web pages - http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/wildlife-advice

“There are many ways you can help support our vital 24/7 work and donate or raise funds for the hundreds of animals in our care.”

“With over 65 hedgehogs, 4 seal pups, dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, fish, reptiles and many birds we help over 3000 animals through the doors every year.”

“If you would like to support our Amazon Wish List and see lists of items that we use every day and things that we are appealing for.”

“If would like to help with wish list items you can call us on 01481 25721 or email [email protected] or the easy way to see many items we are in need  is by going to our Amazon Wish List https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList .”

“We do promote buying items locally but shopping online can help raise funds at the same time as if you select the GSPCA through easy fund raising part of the amount through 1000’s of online retailers comes back to the GSPCA and it has raised over £2500.”

“To sign up to do this please visit http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/guernseyspca/?u=1CHID8 .”

“Sadly Amazon Smile doesn’t allow Guernsey charities to sign up but you can go through easy fund raising to achieve the same donation.”

“As mentioned you can always chose to donate via local stores and the Amazon Wish List is a shop front showing some of the items we need but there are many others and we have published these on our Wish List page http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”

“A gift of a tiny bowl costing less than a £1 to a £600 intensive care unit, every donation is hugely appreciated and really makes the team smile that there are those that care and want to support our work.”

“Another amazing way to support our work is by just a couple of pounds each month can make a massive difference in helping the animals in our care and to find out more please go to http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf .”

“To make a donation you can go to https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA) .”  

“Something for your diaries in 2023 we are running a Puffin Parade and to sponsor a 4 foot puffin with the GSPCA and Autism Guernsey go to - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/2023-autism-guernsey-and-gspca-will-bring-puffin-parade-guernsey-%E2%80%93-could-you-sponsor-and-paint- “

“We couldn’t do so much without your support.”

Donate

Donate by calling  01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or online https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal

Puffin Patrol

In 2023 we are running a Puffin Parade and to sponsor a 4 foot puffin with the GSPCA and Autism Guernsey go to - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/2023-autism-guernsey-and-gspca-will-bring-puffin-parade-guernsey-%E2%80%93-could-you-sponsor-and-paint-

Sponsored Event

Why not create your own sponsored event or challenge - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

For lots more ideas why not visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising

Wish List

Check out our wish list page from the smallest of items to our biggest of projects there are many ways to support us - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list

To visit our Amazon Wish list to see some of the items we need to help the wildlife please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList

GSPCA Wildlife Hospital Appeal

To make a direct donation please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4618/Please-Support-the-GSPCA-Wildlife-Hospital-Appeal

To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Buy%20a%20Brick%20Wildlife%20Hospital.pdf

Larger donors or corporates may want to make a larger donation and become an Exclusive Build Partner and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner

Legacies & Bequests

By leaving a gift to the GSPCA in your Will really helps us to improve the lives of animals into the future.  After providing for those you care for, please consider leaving a proportion of what remains to the GSPCA it is so appreciated and makes a real lasting legacy.

A gift like this to the GSPCA ensures our animals and those in Guernsey will always have someone to keep them safe. To find out more please http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding 

Gift Aid on Donations over £500

To find out about the States of Guernsey tax relief information on gift aid up to 2020 on donations totalling between £500 and £5000 please see the details by going to https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=2617&p=0

2021 gift aid is from £500 and up to £7500 and here are the details - https://www.gov.gg/article/151830/Income-tax-relief

To download the form to claim for 2020 or before please follow this link https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1994&p=0

Become a sponsor and GSPCA member

Why become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor and support our work each month please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf

To become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf  

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Many of you will have seen us on social media and your support liking and sharing our posts is really appreciated, and to visit our social media pages please go to

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GuernseySPCA

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In line with States of Guernsey advice please DO NOT visit the GSPCA if have any symptoms of Coronavirus and we continue visits to the Shelter for only essential reasons and to please call us on 01481 257261 or email [email protected] before your trip 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 #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal by donating online via - https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal

Below are our usual opening times but with the current challenges due to covid these are occasionally adjusted to ensure we provide the best of care for the animals and those needing our 24/7 help, in an emergency please call 01481 257261