Many of you will have fond memories of seeing an endearing garden hedgehog.  However, with the number of hedgehogs in decline, this may sadly not be the case for our future generation due to lack of food and habitats.  Artificial grass and paved gardens prevent these natural resources being available to hedgehogs.  

We need to work together to help save these animals from extinction. One way in which this can be one is by supporting the charity: Hedgehog Friendly Portland. Set up in 2018, this organisation, run by Jo Morland, helps over 200 sick, injured or orphaned hedgehogs each year, providing them with treatment and food and water, until they are ready to be released back into the wild.  

In 2013, Jo first became interested in hedgehogs when she found a family of them in her garden, and she began to feed them and continued watching them for six weeks. After this, members of her local community began to bring her hedgehogs to look after and since then, Jo has treated and cared for hundreds of the beloved mammals. 

The main aim of this organisation is for society to become more aware of what they can do to make their gardens “hedgehog friendly” which in turn could prevent/decrease the number of casualties that Jo takes in and nurses.   

It is a myth that hedgehogs need milk and bread.  These along with mealworms are three of the main foods that hedgehogs must not eat, as these inhibit their digestion and create long lasting problems. Instead, simply put out dry cat food and tap water.    

Although Jo receives help and support from local vets and businesses, the charity still needs to pay for all medical treatment and supplies, with each hedgehog costing approximately £30-£50, depending on what treatment they need and the duration of their stay. This means that funds raised from book sales and financial contributions are extremely valuable.  

Cute, knitted hedgehogs can also be purchased from local establishments to help increase charity funds. Additionally, hedgehog houses made from wood pallets are available, costing £30 each to purchase. These donations and sales enable Jo to continue the amazing work that she does, to prevent the hedgehogs from becoming vulnerable to extinction. 

If you are interested in supporting this organisation, and ensuring the sustainability of hedgehogs, then on Saturday 2nd March, there will be a fundraiser in the foyer of the Tesco on Portland, where there will be opportunities to donate, with some of the aforementioned items on offer. Most importantly, you will learn more about the animals that we all need to be protecting. To find more about this, email Jo at portlandhedgehogs@jomorland.f9.co.uk,  or via Hedgehog Friendly Portland on Facebook and help save our hedgehogs!