Hedgehog Hospital Open Thread

Couple Turns Their Home Into A Hedgehog Hospital - Complete With A Maternity Ward And 'Hogbulances'

Sharon and Andy Longhurst started Burntisland Hedgehog Haven nearly three years ago after rescuing two sick hedgehogs they found by the roadside. The experience inspired them to learn how to care for the tiny creatures -- and before long, their passion turned into a full-time mission to save them.

Since then, the Longhursts have treated 567 hedgehogs, caring for sick, injured, and orphaned ones around the clock. Their garage has been transformed into an ICU with seven incubators and 40 cages, while their garden now hosts a special hedgehog maternity ward. A dedicated team of 18 volunteers helps with cleaning, feeding, and transporting hedgehogs in the rescue's "Hogbulances."

Sharon, who works as a school crossing guard, and Andy, a bus driver, have poured their hearts -- and much of their free time -- into keeping the rescue running. They even fundraise through local events, raffles, and races to cover monthly costs of about £800 for food, bedding, and electricity, plus another £3,500 a year for vet bills.

"If there's a hedgehog out there that needs help and it's in pain, I can't say no," Sharon told BBC News. "It's a full-time job -- we always say we have to draw a line, but then the phone rings and we say, 'Bring it in.'"

...

Of the hundreds of hedgehogs they've treated, 65% have survived and been released back into the wild -- a meaningful achievement given that European hedgehogs are now listed as "near threatened" due to habitat loss and other environmental pressures.

"We'll do this until we're unable to," Andy said. "They're adorable -- really lovely animals."

posted by Ace at 03:40 PM

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