We are a registered charity (number 1204277 that provides care for sick, injured, and orphaned hedgehogs in the village of Ryton, Tyne & Wear.
We do this in line with current professional guidance provided by The British Hedgehog Preservation Society and The Vale Wildlife and Rehabilitation Centre and we are RSPCA approved.
Our Aim
To rescue, rehabilitate and release as many hedgehogs as we can back into the wild. Our work includes assessments, treatments, medications and vet visits. We give emergency advice to members of the public, occasionally collect sick or injured hedgehogs, share information via our social media platforms, fund-raise, run education and awareness talks and attend community-based events.
Education & Awareness Work
School and community group talks are a good way to encourage the public to consider the consequences of their actions upon wildlife and help prevent hedgehog casualties. Hedgehogs are in decline in Britain and are now listed as “Vulnerable” on Britain’s red list of mammals. Their populations in Britain have declined significantly since the 1950s, when there were estimated to be around 30-50 million – now down to fewer than 1 million today. According to the latest State of Britain’s hedgehogs report, numbers have decreased by 30–75% in rural areas since 2000.
Rehabilitation of Sick and Injured Hedgehogs
We take in seriously ill, and injured hogs, as unfortunately, humans are responsible for many hedgehog deaths and injuries through the irresponsible disposal of litter, habitat destruction and the use of garden tools and chemicals.
Many young babies are left orphaned and so we take litters of orphaned hoglets, which must be hand-reared (two hourly feeds!) before weaning and fattening up for release.
Background
Our founder, Sandra, started the rescue, following her passion for caring for these vulnerable to extinction creatures. She looked after them in her utility room from her home in Woodside, but when admissions gained momentum it became too much for one person to manage. Sandra met some like-minded people and Hope for Hedgehogs was born!
Sandra’s Story – Lewis Capaldi’s inspirational video:
Hope for Hedgehogs 