Pins and Needles Hedgehog Rescue, based at Vine Tree Vets in Ross-on-Wye, are appealing for local residents to become foster carers for poorly hedgehogs, young and old.

All the hedgehogs that will be placed into foster care with Ross residents, will have been examined and treated by the Pins and Needles’ vet nurse or vet. They will usually be healthy hedgehogs who are too small to be released back into the wild, so the role of the carer will be to feed them until they reach the correct weight.

Residents who are interested in becoming foster carers will need somewhere quiet and safe for the hedgehogs to live, preferably in a warm environment. An example would be in a spare room indoors, or a dry and draught-free garage or shed.

Cardboard boxes are not the best home for a hedgehog, as when they use the toilet, this tends to soak in to the cardboard, and it can begin to smell. A deep plastic crate or an old rabbit hutch are the best options. These can be lined with old newspapers, shredded, and old towels.

Hedgehogs need food and water available to them all the time. As hedgehogs are messy creatures, and tend to paddle in their food and water, a sturdy dish is the best option, as hedgehogs will easily tip little dishes over. Some hedgehogs will make more of a mess than others, but all hedgehogs need their little homes to be cleaned and disinfected every day. Pins and Needles Hedgehog Rescue can give you more advice on what to use.

Most hedgehogs will eat what they’re given, but they can sometimes be fussy. They liked tinned car or dog food, as long as it isn’t fish. They will get an upset tummy.

The food should be mashed up and mixed with a little bit of warm water. Some hedgehogs are very fond of cat biscuits, and these can be mixed in with the mashed up pet food. Hedgehogs also love mealworms, but these should only be given as special treats.

Fostering hedgehogs can be extremely rewarding, and the Pins and Needles staff will provide fosterers with ongoing support and advice.

Fosterers will be caring for a healthy hedgehog, but if it becomes unwell, or fosterers become concerned, Pins and Needles Rescue will provide advice, and may have the hedgehog back for an assessment.

Being a foster carer gets you close to a wild animal. It is an ideal opportunity to educate children about hedgehogs, and to learn respect and concern for their welfare, without the long-term commitment of having a pet.