Snuffles Hedgehog Rescue in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands was opened in 2013 by Claire Hunt and her partner Matt Elmore. Claire developed a passion for hedgehogs when she found a sick hedgehog and realised that there was nowhere locally to take it for treatment. The closest rescue was several miles away and it was at that point that she decided to open one in Sutton Coldfield. Claire did lots of reading, spoke to other rescues nationwide and attended a hedgehog rehabilitation course and the rest is history. Since it opened Claire has admitted over 300 hedgehogs. She can accommodate up to 40 ill hedgehogs at any one time in her critical care shed.
Snuffles Hedgehog Rescue
In 2016 Snuffles launched an appeal to raise money to buy a larger shed and refit it with essential items including a couple of Brinsea Incubators. Up until that point the rescue did not have an incubator and had to rely on heat pads.
‘We wanted an incubator that could be used throughout the year. In the summer it would be used for the many orphaned hoglets admitted to the rescue in need of a constant source of all round heat. It would also be used for adult hogs with respiratory problems that need an incubator with a nebuliser facility to support their breathing. In the winter we wanted an incubator to support the many admissions of underweight hogs born later in the year and too small to survive hibernation. We also wanted to use it for the adult hogs admitted with a very low body temperature and unable to regulate their own temperature without support and the many hedgehogs that are admitted with respiratory problems as a result of severe lungworm. After a great deal of support from the Brinsea sales team and copious questions we eventually decided to spend our money on two TLC-40 Advance incubators.
Since they arrived we have been delighted with the product. They are just the right size and don’t take up too much space. If you have a small shed like ours this is an important consideration. They are so easy to clean, which is also important as hedgehogs are very messy creatures.
The need for an all-round constant heat is also vital and the nebuliser facility is excellent. More recently one of the incubators was used for John, a very small hedgehog admitted to the rescue at the end of December weighing 356g. He had lungworm and fluke and on admission was struggling with his breathing. The nebuliser was used to help remove mucus and assist his breathing and it worked brilliantly.
We are now on a mission to raise more funds to purchase another Brinsea TLC-40 Advance in preparation for the busy summer period. Thanks to Brinsea for providing a product that meets our needs so well.’
Snuffles Hedgehog Rescue
Bridget Harper – Volunteer with Snuffles Hedgehog Rescue
