Help Hedgehogs and more! Help us get a scanner!

Please help us raise the money for a much needed ultrasound scanner!! 
Recent news has confirmed that our beloved hedgehog, a much loved animal of Britain is now officially on the endangered list. From the 1950’s the uk population has decreased by 30million to 1.5million!! It is thought that 50 thousand hedgehogs a year are killed by traffic alone and In some areas of London they are already extinct! This is so worrying and devastating; the thought of no hedgehogs is tragic and like with all wildlife we all need to pull together and help save our hedgehogs before it's too late!

One of the issues I have noticed in the rescue is that we get a great deal of hogs in that we don’t know if are bleeding internally from say a car accident and lots of female hedgehogs in that we dont know are pregnant. This is a waiting game and more times than none is detrimental to their health. For example in pregnancy the type of drugs needed or to be avoided is crucial and before we have realised they are pregnant it is far too late for mother and hoglets. If we realised earlier, the right strategy of care could be given and certain things avoided to give mother and babies the best chance. Saving baby hedgehogs and a healthy mother to feed them has never been so crucial during this current climate for their population.

The scanner will be such a significant piece of equipment for Pawz. Not only will it help with hedgehogs it will help with birds for bleeding, our stray cats checking quickly for pregnancies or any internal injuries and other wildlife like foxes, deer, swans..... you name it we’ve had it!!! 

Wildlife die from stress; taking blood samples and x rays aren’t always possible, are costly and getting to vets is certainly not feasible, stressful and not the best or quickest option especially during the peak breeding season when we are inundated with animals at the rescue needing constant help!

An ultrasound is a piece of equipment that can tell us a lot quickly and more cheaply to make a treatment decision whilst minimising the stress to the animal.

The cost £2000-£3000 is approximately what a decent mid range ultra sound scanner will cost that is suitable for the size and shape of hedgehogs, other wildlife and cats, as well as the correct probe attachment. 

I have liaised with supplier companies who are willing to help with some sort of discount on a decent set up with warranty and lifetime support and that is the price advised.

Working at Pawz for Thought voluntarily over the years I see how tirelessly they work all year round to conserve these gorgeous animals, treat them, build them up to health and look after the vulnerable autumn and winter animals till spring. 

Pawz has been therapy, a life saver and safe haven for me especially over first lockdown where I had to shield. I threw myself into working at Pawz every day voluntarily to dettach myself from the weird covid world and put my time to good use. It was during this time it became so significant to me the amount of animals that could have maybe received even better treatment and saved us money in vets bills and time if we had this piece of equipment. 

I see first hand the effort and resources that go into helping our animals. It truly is staggering how much good this charity does that is ran by volunteers exclusively on donations, it’s all truly amazing!

Please support me by Supporting my cause and passion. Wildlife belongs to everyone, not just specific charities. It now needs you more than ever to fight for it and be proud of how special it is! 

Why are hedgehogs in particular declining? 

There are very few safe nesting areas available particularly in urban areas, our gardens sadly are simply not wildlife friendly anymore.

Hedgehog populations have decreased by over 40% in urban areas over 30% in rural areas. This is such an alarming rate since only 2000 and it doesn't appear to be slowing any time soon. 

Like with many wildlife populations, Hedgehog decline is down to many human factors; destruction of habitats, urbanisation, paving over gardens, fake grass over taking real grass, modernisation in gardens, the use of pesticides, poisons and gardening tools, lack of safe passageways through gardens; ie blocking up fences and walls, traffic killing them on roads, bonfire night, animal cruelty. 

Global warming also affects them (overall arguably down to human influence again). 

Winter is earlier or later so their breeding patterns down match and babies aren’t heavy enough to be out in the cold or adults ones aren’t heavy enough to survive hibernation. Summers are dryer and hotter and water and food supply is sometimes very scarce especially coinciding with destruction/loss of their natural habitats. 

It is being revised that the government appoint hedgehogs on the protected Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, giving them the same protection as other species like bats and great crested newts where their habitats will be protected. This cannot come soon enough! 

In the meantime the governments supports efforts to make gardens friendlier, more available passageways for hedgehogs, more feeding areas, providing food water and shelter in floods, droughts and winter and encourage awareness.