Dottie’s Little Hog Hospital Charity Number: 1210935

Dottie’s Little Hog Hospital Charity Number: 1210935 We are a specialist rescue providing care for sick, injured & orphaned hedgehogs and now a registered charity. March and April are such months for Dotties.
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We work closely with our local vets and surrounding practices. Those unable to be released live in our disabled gardens within our grounds. ~ WAKING HEDGEHOGS ADVICE ~
Around now fat reserves are running very low and our little prickly friends start coming out of hibernation. A hedgehog generally will have lost around one third of its body weight during this time! With such a drastic weight loss t

hey initially wake very disorientated and weak, they can appear drunk being very wobbly on their feet. Their first priority is water not food so it is very important to ensure that there is ice free water in your garden all year round. Extreme low temperatures can cause a hedgehog to wake in the middle of winter. This first couple of days are a dangerous time for them. This is the time when we start to get ready for emergencies where hedgehogs have had their nests destroyed from people tidying up their gardens as the sun has decided to shine. We will admit many hedgehogs with soft tissue injuries from strimmers and garden forks along with fractured bones from spades and forks. The injuries are often horrific with operations needed and long periods of rehabilitation, some live with us as they are unable to be released. A number of our casualties will be put to sleep straight away due to the extent of the injuries. It is so sad when you think that they manage to survive winter lowering their metabolism to near death in order to survive only to be seriously injured by us. Always check before trimming or cutting down shrubs or bushes. Always check your compost heap before digging over with a fork. If you are removing a shed/ summer house please check underneath them. They love to nest under under garden sheds and patio decking. Long grass? Check before trimming or mowing. If spraying your fence please buy brands that are non toxic
Slug pellets…… invite hedgehogs in to help instead :)
Use non toxic alternatives to weed killer

Please make the time to make your garden more hedgehog and wildlife friendly. We are happy to offer advice and google is amazing for ideas. Your garden could be a home for lots of prickly friends that will eat your slugs to help your garden and they are a pleasure to watch! Hedgehogs are in serious decline in the UK anyway but putting further obstacles in their way when they wake from the dangers of hibernation is easily avoided with a little knowledge and caring.

If we're slow at answering the phone or giving updates this is why! Please bear with us and we'll get back to you as soo...
12/06/2026

If we're slow at answering the phone or giving updates this is why! Please bear with us and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. Meanwhile enjoy the cuteness 😍

Annabelle came to us from our friends at Briar House Vets with a swollen paw. It's all healed now and she passed all che...
11/06/2026

Annabelle came to us from our friends at Briar House Vets with a swollen paw. It's all healed now and she passed all checks so we said goodbye to her today. Stay safe Annabelle 🙏

Hi I'm Bob, I heard from a fella called Fred that splints were all the rage. So I went and got myself one for my dodgy l...
10/06/2026

Hi I'm Bob, I heard from a fella called Fred that splints were all the rage. So I went and got myself one for my dodgy leg, I'm totally in with the fashion around here!

08/06/2026

Just Miles doing a little housekeeping…..

A very laid back Zippy is all better and ready to go home 🏡 💚
08/06/2026

A very laid back Zippy is all better and ready to go home 🏡 💚

Babies everywhere! These have a wonderful mum, Nala, who is doing really well with her little litter 🥰
08/06/2026

Babies everywhere! These have a wonderful mum, Nala, who is doing really well with her little litter 🥰

Hi I'm Priscilla! I may be queen of the desert but I can tell you I don't like drains! I got stuck in one for goodness k...
08/06/2026

Hi I'm Priscilla! I may be queen of the desert but I can tell you I don't like drains! I got stuck in one for goodness knows how long before a lovely lady found me and got me out. So now I'm tucking in to a good meal. All in a days work for us queens you know?!

🦔 Appeal to Fellow Hedgehog Rescues 🦔We are hoping to hear from other rescues regarding something unusual that we are se...
07/06/2026

🦔 Appeal to Fellow Hedgehog Rescues 🦔

We are hoping to hear from other rescues regarding something unusual that we are seeing.

A hedgehog visiting a feeding station has been found covered in what appears to be multicoloured nail polish or a similar substance. This is not the first time we have come across hedgehogs marked in this way, and we are keen to find out whether other rescues have experienced anything similar.

Have you received hedgehogs with bright coloured paint, nail polish, marker pen, or any other unusual substances on their spines? If so, please could you comment below or message us with details, including roughly where you are based and any thoughts on how it may have happened.

At this stage we are simply trying to gather information and establish whether this is an isolated incident or something more widespread.

If anyone out there is marking their hedgehog visitors please know that you are putting them at great risks to predator attacks!

Thank you for any information you can share. 🦔

Elvis ❤️‍🩹It’s with a very heavy heart that I have to share that little Elvis sadly slipped away today.When he arrived w...
07/06/2026

Elvis ❤️‍🩹

It’s with a very heavy heart that I have to share that little Elvis sadly slipped away today.

When he arrived with us, he was suffering terribly from severe flystrike, ringworm, mange, and a heavy flea burden. Despite receiving immediate treatment, warmth, comfort, and all the care we could give him, the damage to his tiny body was simply too great.

Although his time with us was far too short, he knew kindness, safety, and love in his final hours. He passed away warm, comfortable, and cared for.

We are absolutely gutted to have lost him, but grateful that he didn’t have to suffer alone.

Thank you to everyone who followed his story and supports our rescue work. Every animal deserves compassion, even when the outcome isn’t the one we hope for.

Sleep tight, little Elvis. 🦔💚🌈

Address

Bullockstone Road
Herne Bay
CT67NR

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