East Winch Wildlife Center needs your help

An increase in the number of hedgehogs being rescued has led to a wildlife center calling for much-needed supplies.

The RSPCA East Winch center looks after 300 hedgehogs and staff are desperate for newspapers, small towels and flannel.

Hedgehogs are adopted for a variety of reasons, but most are orphans who are underweight or have been found outside during the day.
and many are malnourished.

Two orphan hedgehogs in the center of East Winch. Photo: RSPCA

Center manager Evangelos Achilleos said: “Hedgehogs are the number one patient we see at our center and we have new patients every day. For the last time
count that we had more than 300, but every time we count, the numbers go up again. The total number of patients treated this year is about 800, so it is likely that it will reach 1,000 by the end of the year.

“With so many hedgehogs in our care, we are desperate for newspapers, as well as towels and small flannel rags, which we constantly used to care for the hedgehogs. The volume we’re going through right now is amazing.

“One hedgehog that was brought to us weighed only 58 grams. He is just one of many we care about. Although hedgehogs are small, they may require just as much care and attention as our larger patients.

“We have donation bins at the entrance to our center and we ask anyone who has spare newspapers, small towels or flannel to bring them to us as we really need them.”

The RSPCA is also reminding people to check for hedgehogs before lighting fires ahead of fireworks displays.

At this time of year, young hedgehogs can be seen during the day if they were born later in the year and are trying to find more food to store fat.
reserves for hibernation. If you see a hedgehog during the day in cold weather, it is usually a sign that it is injured, sick, or in need of help.

Evangelos added: “If you want to help hedgehogs, you can put a bowl of dog or cat food in your garden and help them gain weight when the weather is cold enough for them to hibernate. Hedgehogs often wake up during hibernation when the weather is mild, forage for food, and then go back to sleep when the temperature drops again.”

More information on what to do if you find a hedgehog and how to help it in your garden can be found on the RSPCA website.

You can help the center by making a donation or checking out the Amazon wishlist.

Newspaper and towel bins are located outside the center at postcode PE32 1LG on Gayton Road.