Wild Hedgehog Rescue Rehabilitation: Best Practice Standards

Hedgehog rescue and rehabilitation is practised by hundreds of voluntary groups across the UK. Understanding best practice standards helps rescuers provide genuinely welfare-positive care.

Key Facts

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society coordinates over 50 rescue groups and provides training
Hedgehogs found during the day are almost always in distress and require assessment
Hypothermic hedgehogs must be warmed gradually - rapid warming can cause cardiac stress
Baby hedgehogs (hoglets) without their mother require specialist feeding every 2-3 hours on hedgehog milk replacer
Hedgehogs in care require a minimum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius and low-stress quiet housing
Pre-release weight targets (minimum 450g) are set to ensure adequate winter hibernation reserves
Release at or near the original rescue location with appropriate habitat is essential for welfare and survival

Welfare Considerations

Hedgehog rehabilitation welfare depends on correct triage, appropriate husbandry, and well-timed release. Incorrect warming of hypothermic hedgehogs, inappropriate feeding, or release before adequate weight is reached all represent welfare failures. Rehabilitated hedgehogs released too early or in unsuitable habitat face high mortality. The welfare goal is not simply survival to release but genuine recovery with sufficient reserves for winter and long-term survival in suitable habitat. Training and accreditation for rescue workers through organisations like BHPS is the quality assurance mechanism.

What You Can Do

Contact the British Hedgehog Preservation Society to find your nearest trained rescue organisation
Never attempt to hand-rear hedgehog hoglets without guidance from an experienced rehabilitator
If you find a sick hedgehog, keep it warm and dark in a box and seek expert advice within the hour
Support your local hedgehog rescue financially - these are almost always unfunded voluntary operations