The Hedgehog Helpline began in 1988 and became a registered charity in 1995. It takes in sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs with the intention of returning them to the wild once they are fully recovered and able to survive in the wild. All the advice is aimed at the European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in the UK. Other countries may have different legislation or even different species of hedgehog for which our advice is not always appropriate.
The Hedgehog Helpline does not receive any funding and has to rely on the generosity of the general public, those who bring hedgehog casualties and our own fund raising efforts.
In 2008 we received around 534 hedgehog casualties plus 2 other wildlife casualties. We also gave advice on the telephone in respect of a further 1141 hedgehogs and 20 other birds and mammals. In addition we made 17 visits to attended events and give talks to different groups of adults and youngsters. We also gave a number of radio interviews about hedgehogs.
We are a very small organisation with very few volunteers but we do the best we can and no hedgehog casualty is turned away.
The Hedgehog Helpline can be contacted by telephone in cases where urgent advice is required. Telephone either 029 2062 3985 (almost 24 hours but an answerphone if we are out).
We can also be contacted by e-mail at hedgehg@dircon.co.uk
Finally we can be contacted by post at:-
Hedgehog Helpline,
5 Foreland Road,
Whitchurch,
Cardiff.
CF14 7AR.
If you are requesting information it is helpful if you can send an SAE to take A5 sized literature.
Please remember that we, and most other hedgehog carers, are unpaid volunteers and we may also have our own jobs, families and homes to run. If you cannot get hold of us we are probably out doing "hedgehog" work or household shopping or our full time jobs. Please be patient and only ring late at night if there is an urgent problem.
We have a list of other carers in the UK who take in hedgehogs (and other species) and there are also other web sites with contacts. Unfortunately these numbers often change so it is difficult to keep any list up to date. We can be contacted by telephone for a local number or try accessing the following sites mentioned on our homepage.