Wildlife Hedgehog Rehabilitation Best Practices

Evidence-based approaches to rehabilitating hedgehogs found injured or in need of care.

Key Facts

Hedgehog populations in the UK have declined by over 50% since 2000, making rehabilitation critical
Hedgehogs found out during daylight hours are almost always in distress and require intervention
Juveniles under 600g found in autumn are too small to survive winter hibernation without supplementation
Common causes of hedgehog injury include lawn mower wounds, garden netting entanglement, and road traffic accidents
Hedgehogs can carry diseases including lungworm and ringworm that require careful handling protocols

Welfare Considerations

Hedgehog rehabilitation requires balancing welfare during treatment with preparation for successful release. Hospitalized hedgehogs need appropriate temperature, quiet, and low-stress handling to minimize the impact of captivity. Pain management is essential for injured animals — hedgehogs stoically mask pain and must be assessed carefully. Release protocols are as important as treatment: animals should be released at or near their point of capture when habitat supports survival, and never during extreme weather. Rehabilitation centers play a crucial educational role in teaching the public to recognize animals in genuine distress.

What You Can Do

Contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately if you find a hedgehog out in daylight
Create hedgehog-friendly gardens by leaving log piles, wild corners, and holes in fences
Check and clear garden netting regularly to prevent entanglement
Drive carefully at night during autumn when juvenile hedgehogs are actively foraging
Donate to or volunteer with local hedgehog rescue and rehabilitation organizations