The Bilton Hogspital
Background
The Bilton Hogspital is a private hedgehog rehabilitation facility based in the Bilton area of Harrogate. It is run by Teresa Marshall, who started caring for hedgehogs in this way in 1995. Although Teresa is listed as a hedgehog carer by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, the Bilton Hogspital is completely independent, voluntary and unfunded.
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| "Tiggy" a former patient |
Patients
The hedgehogs come mainly from the Harrogate area but occasionally from much further afield in the county. The Hogspital generally deals with about 300 - 400 patients in an average year. At any one time there is normally an average of 30 sick, injured or overwintering animals in the facility, with a maximum of 60 in-patients all at the same time on one occasion!
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| Main hedgehog ward |
The Wards
The indoor wards consist of stacked, plastic pet carriers which, to ensure the required warmth, share the house and central heating with Teresa and her husband Robert! These beds all require cleaning and supplying with fresh food and water every single day. Washing the soft cloth bedding ensures the washing line is hardly ever empty!
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| Washed hedgehog bedding |
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| Hedgehog catering |
Food and Drink
Food for the large-scale hedgehog catering can be a varied menu of cat food (mostly non-fishy), cat/kitten biscuits, dried mealworms (in moderation, to provide some insect nutrients/fibre but avoid problems of overuse), special Hedgehog Mix, etc. This all helps to encourage a wide-ranging, omnivorous insectivore style of diet when eventually released, especially for those without previous experience of foraging.
(Note: Cat/kitten biscuits alone are quite acceptable for top-up support feeding of wild hedgehogs in the garden. With plenty of water to drink).
Cow's milk is not suitable for hedgehogs (as they are lactose intolerant) but occasionally warmed goat's milk or special kitten formula can be used, especially for motherless young hoglets, who may need feeding (and toileting!) by hand every hour! Plain water is the drink for older juveniles and adults.
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| Feeding a young hedgehog patient with goat's milk |
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| Outdoor rehabilitation runs |
Rehabilitation
Once nursed back to health and up to the required weight, the hedgehogs are returned to the wild in a controlled and supported soft-release programme. This gradually gets them used to being outside, being wild again and starting to fend for themselves. The final stages of this programme are often assisted by local people with suitable hedgehog-friendly gardens. Where possible, and safe, hedgehogs are released near to where they were originally found.
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| New delivery of outdoor hedgehog boxes |
Support
Various donations including food, bedding, etc. by local people, and also often by those who have found and brought in the hedgehog patients, all help to defray the costs. The Hogspital is also well supported by our local hedgehog-friendly vet.
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| Teresa Marshall - Bilton Hogspital |
Conclusion
The ongoing work of the Hogspital takes up many hours every day and can also involve many long phone calls providing advice on hedgehog care to others. However, it is most rewarding to be able to return a high proportion (60–70%) of the sometimes initially extremely weak and sickly hedgehogs back to the wild in a healthy state, ready for a second chance at life!
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| "Tiggy" |
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society
The website at http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/ has lots of hedgehog information and downloadable leaflets. BHPS can also supply advice and contact details for local hedgehog carers - call 01584 890 801. (Updated Sept 2018)
Contact Details
UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED TO NEW ADMISSIONS FROM OUTSIDE THE HARROGATE AREA (June 2023) - If you have a hedgehog with a problem PLEASE contact The British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890 801 for details of your nearest hedgehog carer, thank you.
PLEASE DO NOT POST HELP REQUESTS HERE! THIS SITE IS NOT MONITORED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Thank you.
For NON-URGENT enquiries ONLY (as reply may be delayed by several days) the Hogspital can be contacted at bilton_hogspital_4-infobs@yahoo.com
Unable to find your address or contact details. Have a Hedgehog who visits nightly but spends most of his time scratching. Also would like to give you a donation
ReplyDeleteThank you, good to hear you have a hedgehog visiting! Our contact details are available via The British Hedgehog Preservation Society at the telephone number shown above (01584 890 801)
DeleteHi, could you accept PayPal donations, if so email address please.
ReplyDeleteHi I have a adult hedgehog that's come from valley gardens and into garden but hastill fallen into the well outside my basement flat. I can't climb down so any help would be appreciated. I can't find your telephone number to call direct.
ReplyDeleteHello Hogspital! Sadly, I saw a dead adult hedgehog today on the road between the Minskip farm shop and the bridge over the motorway. Also, I wonder if you could consider coming to the Knaresborough Festival sept 28/29? There is a nature theme. I can send more detail perhaps by email?
ReplyDeleteReplied earlier via email
DeleteIs it possible to check over a rescued female hedgehog that was overwintered to ensure she survived. My telephone number is 07927 559752 many thanks
DeleteHi I've had a hedgehog since yesterday afternoon I've seen it around for a few days now and thought it was best to keep hiim safe untill someone can help the little fella. Hope you can help
DeleteI have an adult hedgehog that I’ve had to rescue from a garden that is being cleared, it was hibernating. Can I take it to Theresa in Bilton at the moment ? Thanks
ReplyDeletePLEASE see "Contact Details" above. Unfortunately this page cannot be monitored for urgent hedgehog help requests.
ReplyDelete