Scottish SSPCA appeals for tinned dog and cat food donations to feed hungry hedgehogs to survive winter hibernation

The Scottish SPCA is appealing to the public to help feed hungry hedgehogs who need to put on weight to survive their winter hibernation.
By Jamie McKenzie
Published 30th Oct 2020, 12:30 BST

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Last year, the welfare charity’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre cared for 2,245 hedgehogs - a record number - and 1,000 of those arrived between September and November.

The SSPCA has now launched an appeal for non-fish based tinned dog and cat food donations to help feed the animals.

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Anna Keen, operations manager at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre, said: “Hedgehogs generally come into our care at this time of year because they are underweight. They need to be a certain weight to be able to hibernate.

Last year, the welfare charity’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre cared for 2,245 hedgehogs - a record number - and 1,000 of those arrived between September and November. Pic: SSPCALast year, the welfare charity’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre cared for 2,245 hedgehogs - a record number - and 1,000 of those arrived between September and November. Pic: SSPCA
Last year, the welfare charity’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre cared for 2,245 hedgehogs - a record number - and 1,000 of those arrived between September and November. Pic: SSPCA

“Many don’t increase their body mass enough to survive hibernating in the wild so they come into our care and we feed them wet dog or cat food to get them to a healthy weight.

“Due to the high volume of hedgehogs, we are currently going through over 40 cans of food a day. Last year at the same time we were going through 100.

“We have started to see an increase in admissions, currently we are caring for 128, so we expect some busy months ahead.

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“It is a race against time to get the wee hogs to a healthy weight and fit for hibernation before the worst of winter hits.

Hedgehogs needs to be a certain weight in order to hibernate.Hedgehogs needs to be a certain weight in order to hibernate.
Hedgehogs needs to be a certain weight in order to hibernate.

“We would appreciate any donations people can spare.”

In 2019, the Scottish SPCA cared for 11,051 wild animals.

Donations of wet non-fish based dog food or hedgehog food can be handed in to the centre located at Fishcross, FK10 3AN. People can also donate through the Amazon wishlist HERE.