A new Facebook support group has been set up by a group of local residents who are keen to spread the word on how to care for hedgehogs. Ross-on-Wye Hedgehog Care & Advice is for anyone who needs any advice with a hedgehog they come across that may need a little helping hand. This could be advice on the right food to give or a local contact for someone who can give a hedgehog the care it needs.

At this time of year many hedgehogs come out of hibernation. As they have survived off their body fat during the winter, they will be anxious to find food and shelter. Ross-on-Wye Hedgehog Care and Advice are asking people to leave out a shallow dish of clean water each evening especially during dry weather.

Hedgehogs are in decline, so it is very important to help them out where we can. If you have an enclosed garden you can provide a ‘hedgehog highway’ to allow them to move around easily. Hedgehogs roam 1-2km each night during their active season. It is therefore critical that they can access a wide range of gardens. 13x13cm holes in walls or fences will let hedgehogs through, but would be too small for most pets.

If you have a pond, please consider making it hedgehog safe. Hedgehogs are adept swimmers but if they can’t climb out of steep-sided ponds or pools they will drown. Use a pile of stones, a piece of wood or some chicken wire to create a simple ramp.

Hedgehogs can benefit from extra food, using it as a supplement to their natural diet. Meaty cat or dog food and hedgehog food (you can purchase Spikes from Creature Comforts on Gloucester Road, or a selection of hedgehog grub from Ross Garden Store) are all suitable.

Looking after a hedgehog is not the same as looking after a domestic cat or dog. Hedgehogs are wild animals that do not like being handled and do not form a bond with their carers, they are elusive creatures that prefer peace and quiet, pets such as dogs may make them feel threatened.

For more information and advice on caring for a hedgehog, or if you come across one that needs assistance, please get in touch with Ross-on-Wye Hedgehog Care & Advice on Facebook.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.