NOW that spring is warming up a bit, most hedgehogs will have awakened from hibernation and be looking for food, so if you have hedgehogs visiting your garden, please make sure there is fresh water for them and a supply of cat food, either wet or dry. They don’t like fishy flavours but dried mealworms provide them with a tasty treat. Some will have lost weight and condition during their long sleep, and will need plenty of food to restore their health and get them into breeding condition.

Our over-wintered hogs will soon be ready for release in suitable gardens, in non-sibling pairs. Last year, we successfully released 10 pairs in Minchinhampton, and we have previously released in Cranham.

These releases have helped to augment the population already there, with fresh genes. We aim to increase existing populations, rather than in a new area, as there could be good reasons why hedgehogs are absent from those areas. During the summer, we prefer to return hedgehogs to the area where they were found, rather than a new one, once they have recovered from illness or injury.

Once they have all been released, it will be time for our carers to get ready for the next big influx of patients, when gardeners get busy with strimmers and mowers – please be careful as garden tools and plastic netting are some of the biggest hazards, and last year we had some terrible injuries caused by strimmers.

Please call our emergency number 07870 378 207 for advice if you find any hogs in trouble.

The fundraising season will shortly be getting under way, with our first event being on Saturday, April 22 at Stroud Brewery - “Brass band, ale and hogs!” with a special brew. We will be attending many events during the summer. If you would like to book a talk for your school or community group, please drop us a line at enquiries@helpahedgehog.org