Already the GSPCA has rescued, rehabilitated and cared for over 100 hedgehogs this year.
Last night Charlie a very poorly hedgehog arrived covered in mange and extremely thin.
We often see mange in hedgehogs in Guernsey but if rescued and brought into the Shelter can easily be treated. Thankfully Charlie is one of the lucky ones and he is now in the Intensive Care Unit of the Hedgehog Block at the GSPCA where he will undergo a series of treatments to free him from this mite.
With 73 hedgehogs at the GSPCA Animal Shelter and many more with volunteers and in foster homes the GSPCA are reminding everyone what to do if you find a hedgehog this winter.
Nearly everyday at least one hedgehog is brought into the GSPCA Animal Shelter either sick or injured.
Annabelle Janes Animal Care Assistant said 'We have so many hedgehogs at the moment it feels like we have herds of them.'
Last night the GSPCA had a young hedgehog that if had been left to fend for himself he surely wouldn't of made it through the winter.
Hedgehogs would normally be hibernating at this time of year, but due to the mild Autumn and late litters of hoglets many hedgehogs are still awake and many not large enough to sleep through the winter.
The GSPCA is about to release it’s first hedgehogs of 2012 this evening and we are asking if you spot one to please let us know.
The Shelter has had up to 70 hedgehogs at any one time and many are now healthy and heavy enough to be released back into the wild.
The first four that are going have been acclimatising in our soft release pens that were recently built over the last couple of weeks. The Shelter has been waiting for the right weather conditions to let this first group go.
As the New Year came and the Wildlife Unit filling with animals nearly every day, the hot water demand has been at full tilt for cleaning the many cages and feed bowls.
The boilers in this building being over 20 years old decided that they could cope no more and failed in January leaving the staff boiling kettles whilst we tried to figure out what to do.
The Shelter staff enjoyed working with the film crew and production team. The GSPCA were very proud showing them the work we do for Guernsey’s wildlife and facilities we have.
The start of 2012 has already brought the Animal Shelter a number of sick and injured animals & birds from around the island but with the continuation of the windy weather we are asking everyone to keep a good look out.
The bad weather means it is difficult for hedgehogs and birds to feed normally and the young seal pups can easily be separated from their mothers.
The Guernsey Hedgehog Rescue Centre was officially set up as a charity at the beginning of 2005. The centre at Penrose Farm has been taking in hedgehogs since 2001 and has helped thousands of hedgehogs in Guernsey since this time. Sadly Guernsey Hedgehog Rescue led by Dawn Robin and her team of volunteers are having to close it’s doors.
Fortunately Dawn is not disheartened with the outlook of hedgehogs and their future in Guernsey as the GSPCA have been working hard improving the facilities of their wildlife unit over the past few months.
Harry the hoglet is happy and well this morning and is already off on a little adventure. After a night in the care of the GSPCA Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager has spoken to Dawn at Guernsey Hedgehog Rescue Centre who has agreed to take the little hoglet into their care.
The GSPCA take in all sorts of wildlife but the Hedgehog Centre has over a hundred hedgehogs and Harry will need to learn to grow up with little friends. Steve after speaking to Dawn this morning has arranged for transportation so Harry can be taken in by Dawn and her fantastic team of volunteers.
