This woman in York, England, has a whole house full of hedgehogs! Animal-lover Emma has rescued hundreds of hapless hedgehogs over the years, and knows a thing or two about how to keep hedgehogs happy. For six years, Emma has been treating the elusive critters for injury and illness, housing them in safe keeping until they can return to the wild.
Emma explains that hedgehogs face a lot of challenges, especially in busy towns and cities. Habitat loss, rubbish, waste, cars, dogs and gardening accidents all menace these often-unnoticed nocturnal creatures; and humans are directly responsible for many of these dangers.
Fortunately, humans can also help: Emma has rehabilitated over 350 hedgehogs since 2012. Because her patients are wild animals, she always aims to treat them and release them, rather than having them live in cramped captivity.
Emma’s favourite success story
Clearly, Emma has seen a lot of cases – but one remains ever-present in her memory as her biggest success story. A hedgehog named Octavia arrived at the hospital with severe injuries from a dog bite. When an aggressive infection caused Emma’s new friend to start losing her quills, a veterinarian recommended euthanasia. Emma, however, refused to give up on Octavia, and her determination paid off – with lots of attention and medication, the compassionate caretaker saved Octavia’s life.
Emma believes that anyone can do their part for wildlife in danger, even if it’s just making sure an injured animal is taken to someone who can treat it. She hopes that her passion for rescuing hedgehogs inspires others as “a tiny bit of a much bigger piece of work.” In short, Emma’s philosophy is that any rescue effort, large or small, makes a difference in the lives of animals. Hundreds of healthy hedgehogs would agree!
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Thanks for the wonderful and inspiring things you do.
You go, Emma!
Emma, keep up the good caring work. You were meant to do this for the hedgehogs and they need you.
What a wonderful woman to devote so much time effort and money to caring for these beautiful creatures. Bless you Emma.
Congratulations Emma. You are doing a marvellous job, one that no doubt wouldn’t appeal to most people. It occurs to me that you must go through a lot of gloves! Keep up the good work, and God bless.
Thank you Emma! I too believe all lives are worth saving. And even better, you return them to the wild so they can still be wild animals.
such an adorable little animal… I know this story is about hedgehogs but I would like to point out that the one was bitten by a dog not a cat. I am so SO tired of so many people wanting to kill all cats because they claim they are the sole reason for declining bird and small animal populations. yes cats are hunters because careless people toss them out and force them to be but there are so many other reasons why birds and wildlife die. humans are the biggest most common reason.
I agree I pick up any animal injured on the road
Emma your are an angel, we have 2 hedgehogs a male and female, they are quite unique and loveable. I never thought about the need for Hedgehog rescue, and in Europe I know they are very popular pets. Namaste* for all your dedication and love.
The Galarneau family
I think you are doing great job they seem to be safe and sound with you 🙂 thank you
Keep up the good work Emma hedgehogs like Octavia need you. ?