We often look for volunteers to help us at the hogspital. Training is provided in the daily hedgehog care routine. We look for people who can spare on average of one morning per week. We start slowly as these creatures are complex and require a great deal of knowledge. It takes over three years to be fully trained in all aspects of the hands on work, and like with everything, different people have different skill sets and capabilities so we try to work out what is best all round – whilst still giving you a good dose of hedgehog time to boot!
Volunteer
Most rescues are overwhelmed between Spring and late Autumn each year and we need more people trained to help if we hope to make a difference to the decline of hedgehogs. We work with volunteers over 18 years old (plus younger Duke of Edinburgh Award trainees).
Coordinated by Tracy and the volunteer family, we have built a truly amazing and invaluable resource without which we couldn’t do the great work we do. We aim to pass on our knowledge and skill set to the team. As a group of volunteers, we take pride in the level of care we provide and our volunteers love the hands-on experience of working with hedgehogs. We love watching volunteers’ confidence grow whilst working with these amazing creatures. One of the many benefits of volunteering with us is making friends, while learning and growing in confidence. It’s a mindful exercise and hard work but extremely rewarding and a massive sense of achievement when you get to release a healthy prickly bottom!
Foster
When the autumn comes we are usually in a race against time to cure, fatten up and release hedgehogs before the weather changes. Skinny hogs have no fat reserves to hibernate and pass away during hibernation. So when that cut off time comes, we need local volunteers who have a quiet room at home, who can clean, check and weigh the hedgehog daily and report back to the rescue. This is usually from around November to April – weather dependant. It involves doing hands-on training first in the daily care routine at the hogspital before proceeding to fostering.
Fund-raise
All the medication, food and vet care we provide is costly, so we are always very grateful to those who fund-raise for us! This suits some people who don’t necessarily want to be hands on and like to create and make things to sell, do sponsored events, or just seek out donations for us. Some people like to help at fairs and tabletops or by running quiz or charity events. Please consider supporting Hope for Hedgehogs!!!
our JustGiving Page
We recently raised funds to enable us to refurbish the hogspital, thanks to public donations.
Other
We take in hogs from throughout Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, and Northumberland and sometimes need drivers to bring in hogs when finders are elderly or have no access to transport. We also need veterinary transport for sick and injured hogs to and from the clinic.
Hope for Hedgehogs 