Prickles and Paws

a chance to help build a new hedgehog hospital!

What a lovely day! Meeting the team from Prickles and Paws in Newquay, Cornwall, was an absolute delight.

Katy and Emma examining a new arrival

We love hedgehogs in the UK! Every vote or poll has the hedgehog coming out as the favourite nature icon or animal or wild mammal! More proof, if needed, is that the British Hedgehog Preservation Society has a list of around 800 hedgehog rescues around the country, people who care so much about hedgehogs that they dedicate some, or all (!!) of their lives to rehabilitating them!

And I have just been invited for a look around one of the best - Prickles and Paws. I first met Katy, co-founder, when she gave a talk alongside me in Calstock a couple of years ago. I had promised to visit, and then got the opportunity to come and do a fundraising talk for the charity ... which I need to leave for in an hour ... I am sitting in their living room just now.

They are a brilliantly science led rescue (some are very much less so!!!) - and when a couple of hedgehogs came in while I was here earlier this afternoon, I got to see some of this in action - the infra-red camera used to take the hedgehog's temperature (much less invasive than a thermometer!)

thermal imaging to measure the hedgehog’s temperature!

and then, when a female came in who might be pregnant - ultrasound (and she was pregnant!)

Pregnant mum!

But the main reason I am here is to help them fundraise for a new hedgehog hospital. All this work they do so far is in the three sheds in their suburban garden - and it is just not sustainable. Last year they had 1428 hedgehogs pass through their doors .... and they need more space.

part of the current hogspital in the garden …

Aviva have agreed to match fund this campaign - and while the target has already been met, they have agreed to continue matching for the next 8 days - so if you have the capacity - pop over HERE and donate, knowing that your money will be worth double to the charity!

Diane and Katy delighted to see the new hospital taking shape!

Now - to get ready to give that talk!! Thanks for all your help.