Prickles & Paws Hedgehog Rescue

Prickles & Paws Hedgehog Rescue, Cornwall

Prickles & Paws is a hedgehog rescue centre based in Newquay, Cornwall.

So why did we include a Hedgehog rescue centre as one of our beneficiary causes?

Well its not just about there cuteness although they are

particularly cute and certainly non-threatening to us humans!!

The population of Hedgehogs has a direct correlation to the condition of our local wildlife habitat. Sure, not everywhere has a Hedgehog population, such as urban conurbations but I did say it reflected our wildlife habitat which is a general reference to agricultural areas, woodlands, forests, national parks, etc.

Sadly, the general Hedgehog population has been is decline since the 2000's. This is attributed almost entirely to the loss of habitat or mismanagement of areas of natural habitat. This is commonly down to new housing, new roads, new commercial structures but also, changes in our own gardens such as cutting back vegetation to accommodate a Summerhouse or garden Office. These changes sadly account for Hedgehog deaths or injury or that it means they have to move to new areas that may be inhabited by predators such as Badgers or that the journey to find new habitat means they cross roads into the path of traffic.

Prickles & Paws hedgehog rescue have seen the numbers of Hedgehogs brought in because of injury and poor condition increase dramatically in the last few years. This one centre alone in Cornwall, UK takes in well in excess of 1000 Hedgehogs every year! Many of them come in injured from Strimmers which is something that with a little forethought and care, could easily be avoided!

Prickles & Paws are not the only Hedgehog rescue in Cornwall but I am super impressed by their structure in particular their efforts to work in the community to increase awareness and understanding of Mammal life in nature and the importance to it. Hedgehogs play an important role in our ecosystem and conservation work for this species to improve population numbers is critical and education plays a huge part in this.

I am delighted to say we support Prickles & Paws by retailing a range of craft products and greetings cards on behalf of them. Visitors to our shop in Launceston, Cornwall can pick up a gift for a friend or relative and the full retail value is passed directly to Prickles & Paws which in turn goes towards the cost of rehabilitating the many rescue Hedgehogs and Hoglets.

You can find out more about the work the team do at their website https://www.pricklesandpaws.org/