Urban Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation: What to Do When Hedgehogs Need Help

British hedgehog populations have declined by more than a third since 2000. Injured and sick hedgehogs found in gardens are a common welfare challenge, and knowing how to respond correctly can save lives.

Key Facts

Hedgehogs seen active during daylight hours are almost always unwell — they are nocturnal and daytime activity indicates serious health problems requiring urgent veterinary attention
Common causes of hedgehog casualties include fly strike, mange, lungworm, road traffic injuries and garden hazard injuries from strimmers and mowers
Hedgehog rehabilitation is legally possible without a licence in the UK; recovered animals should be returned to the area where they were found
Weight at hibernation is critical — hedgehogs under 450g in autumn are unlikely to survive hibernation and require intervention to reach a safe weight before winter
British Hedgehog Preservation Society and local hedgehog rescue groups provide advice, rescue coordination and rehabilitation support across the UK

Welfare Considerations

Urban hedgehog welfare depends on a combination of public knowledge, garden design and appropriate response to casualties. Most hedgehog deaths are human-caused and preventable — strimmers, bonfires, ponds without escape ramps, slug pellets and garden netting are among the leading causes of injury and death. When hedgehogs are found in distress, prompt welfare assessment and contact with a local rescue or vet is the most effective response. Gardens designed with hedgehog access, escape routes from hazards and supplementary feeding in hard winters can significantly improve local population welfare.

What You Can Do

Check garden areas before strimming, mowing or lighting bonfires — hedgehogs shelter in dense vegetation
Create hedgehog highways — 13x13cm holes in garden fences allow hedgehogs to range across multiple gardens for food and mates
If you find a hedgehog active in daylight, provide warmth, a dark box and contact a hedgehog rescue or vet
Avoid using metaldehyde slug pellets which are lethal to hedgehogs and other wildlife — ferric phosphate pellets are a safer alternative
Provide a shallow dish of water and hedgehog-safe food in your garden, particularly in dry summers and cold winters