Hedgehog by my front door!!

puppypants

As the title says, I heard a rustling sound outside my front door and, thinking it was a blackbird looking for grubs, I went to investigate and found a hedgie!! How on earth it got there I don't know as I'm in a basement flat and there are steep steps down to the level he/she is on. I gave it a small amount of dog food which it ate with gusto. Question is, what do I do now? Should I contact anyone? Should I put it up onto the garden level in the hopes it doesn't fall down (must have been what happened initially)?

Help! What to do, what to do?

devildog

It's a bit early for the little thing to be out but as you say it has eaten with gusto then nothing major is probably wrong. I would put it up onto garden level and quietly watch for 10 minutes to make sure it moves off ok.

Froglet

Any hog out in the day is in trouble.Please go and find it and bring it in.Make sure it has water .Then look here and please contact someone .a carer who is near to you,to check it over.

http://www.thehedgehog.co.uk/search.php

Froglet

If you cannot find it at the moment then please keep an eye out.Then have read of this wonderful website,full of info.

http://www.hedgehoghelp.co.uk/index.php?PHPSESSID=fe08d089f56eaf45717ce74a722f3f6e&board=2.0

Where abouts are you,maybe i can help you.i am a volunteer at a hedgehog hospital.

puppypants

I am in Llandudno in North Wales. The hoggie has found a sheltered place under a step and has covered himself in leaves. Looks quite cosy at the mo. I can't really bring him in as I have a dog and two cats. I'll feed him again tomorrow. Have left some food and water out in case he feels peckish in the night! Thanks for the links. Will keep you all informed.

gettingready

as other people said - a hedgehog out daytimes is normally a bad sign, he may be unwell

pls do not feed him and leave him thinking he is / will be ok, pls call specific hedgehog rescue people

Froglet

Food and water is a good idea ,yes,but he really does need checking over.This very hot weather hogs can get so dehydrated that they lose the ability to drink properly and can die quite quickly.

Are any of these close to you? http://www.thehedgehog.co.uk/search.php?search=1

Please please ring for some advice,they will be able to tell you what to look for.It sounds as if it could be a female trying to make a nest to give birth.Under a step is very unsuitable.



another comprehensive list is here

http://www.helpwildlife.co.uk/wales.php



Also this one,though i appreciate it is still quite a distance from you.But sometimes they have volunteers who live closer and can pick it up or at least check it over.Worth a try.


WREXHAM

Wrexham Hedgehog Rescue
Cares for: Hedgehogs
Location: Marford
Tel: 01978 856237



Or you could post on the hedgehog help site i gave you the link for.Being a member there,i know there are some very experienced carers and would be more than happy to help and advise.

I know what it's like when you have an emergency and don't know where to turn.That is how i started,kept finding sick hogs and struggled to find anyone,even vets who knew enough or would even be bothered.But there is a lot more help out there now,honestly.

Froglet

I am replying to my own post! purely to bump this topic up.Hogs are in serious decline and many are struggling now with the dry weather as the ground is so hard and they just cannot find natural food.The biggest single thing we can all do is put out shallow dishes of water and keep them topped up for the overnight vistors.Also dog or cat food,not in gravy or fish flavour though.

And should one be spotted in the daytime it is definitely in trouble.I hope the links i gave above will mean the ability to get help and advice should it be needed.Hogs deteriorate fast once they are sick.

Thank you in advance ,these endearing creatures really do need our help.

meg72

Thanks for this I really love hedgehogs and have never thought of putting out water for them, will put some out now.

heartbreak_star

Thank you for the links Froglet

HBS x

shazzle

We have a visiting hedgehog in our back garden, 10.00 every night for the past two nights we have put out water and cooked chicken.
If I keep this up will he/she stay and keep visiting? Shall I change the food?
We are delighted to sit and watch Harry eating, soooo cute xx