New rescue centre 'fills gap in hedgehog care'

Over recent years, Britain's native hedgehog has declined rapidly

A new hedgehog rescue centre with the capacity to care for more than 100 animals at any one time has opened.

Jim Dunne, trustee for Dorset Hedgehog Rescue near Bere Regis, said it filled "a huge gap in hedgehog care and rehabilitation" in the county.

The new premises has 103 bespoke hedgehog cages for day-to-day care, plus 10 incubators in the ICU for hoglets and the more poorly adult hedgehogs.

Mr Dunne said it would take pressure off "other hard-working rescues across the county".

"It also allows caring residents who find a sick hedgehog to have confidence they've made a difference by bringing it here," he said.

The venue, which is a new venture by the former Hamworthy Hedgehog Rescue, has been made possible thanks to donations.

The site anticipates it could receive more than 750 animals each year and it is appealing for volunteers to offer their support.

'Trailblazing'

Rescue manager Cheryl Hill said: "The rescue has been planned for a long time, and it is truly wonderful to have finally opened.

"The new rescue will make a huge difference to hedgehogs, volunteers, and staff. From the moment a hedgehog arrives in care to the moment they are released back to the wild, our trailblazing new rescue will create the best possible experience for all involved."

Dorset Hedgehog Rescue will hold a grand opening day on 29 June for members of the public to look around the new premises.

Over recent years Britain's native hedgehog has declined rapidly, to the point that it is now on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list of threatened species as being "vulnerable to extinction".