Wildlife

Wild Hedgehog Rehabilitation Standards

Wildlife rehabilitation for hedgehogs requires specific expertise and facilities to provide effective welfare support for injured and sick animals.

Key Facts

Thousands of hedgehogs are admitted to UK wildlife hospitals annually
Wound care, parasite treatment and nutrition are primary rehabilitation needs
Underweight hoglets require bottle feeding and intensive care
Release site selection is critical for post-rehabilitation survival
British Hedgehog Preservation Society coordinates a national carer network

Welfare Considerations

Hedgehog rehabilitation requires specialist knowledge - inappropriate care causes more harm than good. Hypothermia, inappropriate feeding and premature release cause welfare harm. Supporting well-run rehabilitation centres with expertise and appropriate facilities is more effective than amateur rescue attempts.

What You Can Do

Contact a specialist hedgehog rescue if you find an injured animal
Do not attempt to rehabilitate hedgehogs without appropriate training
Support your local hedgehog rescue centre with donations or volunteering