Caerphilly Hedgehog Rescue celebrates fifth anniversary

Caerphilly Hedgehog Rescue is celebrating five years of rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing wild hedgehogs – having cared for more than 1,000 animals since opening in 2021.

The milestone comes at a crucial time for the charity, as hedgehog populations face severe pressure across the UK and remain on the endangered red list.

Demand at the rescue has surged this year, with volunteers taking in around 160 hedgehogs so far in 2026 – roughly double the figure recorded at the same point last year. Part of this was due to the hot and dry summer, which made it harder for hedgehogs to find natural food and water.

Two recent arrivals, brothers named Tim and Tom, show the impact of the rescue’s daily care. Found underweight and wandering during the day in Llanishen, the pair are now recovering at the rescue’s base. Secretary and lead carer Rachel Hustin noted that animals can remain in care for up to three weeks before being released back into the wild.

Dave Williams, lead carer at the rescue, highlighted simple steps residents can take to help protect hedgehogs in their own back gardens.

“Hedgehogs can travel around a mile each night, so being able to move between gardens is important,” he said. “Making part of a garden a little wilder will also help, providing more insects and other wildlife for hedgehogs to feed on.

“One common problem is entanglement in netting, including netting used around football goals in gardens. Hedgehogs can become trapped in the mesh, so the rescue advises people to raise netting off the ground and check areas carefully to make sure hedgehogs cannot become caught.

“Uncovered drains can also be dangerous, with hedgehogs falling in and potentially drowning or becoming trapped for long periods. Garden ponds can be beneficial for wildlife, but they need to have a safe way for hedgehogs to get in and out, such as a shallow or gently sloping area. Garden equipment can pose another serious danger.”

The rescue is urging residents to avoid using pesticides and to be particularly careful with traps, which can catch and injure hedgehogs.

Dog owners are also being asked to be mindful of their pets. The rescue receives a number of hedgehogs that have been attacked by dogs, particularly when hedgehogs are out and about at night or when dogs are being walked off the lead.

Volunteers needed

The charity is running a campaign to recruit more volunteers across a variety of roles to keep operations running smoothly.

Mary Browning, chair of Caerphilly Hedgehog Rescue, said: “We have a team of volunteer craft workers who make hedgehog-related items which are sold at craft fairs, helping to raise money for the organisation.

“People with IT skills also help with paperwork and databases, while volunteers help with information and education activities at craft fairs and community wildlife events. The rescue also has a media officer who handles its publicity and communications, helping to raise awareness of the organisation, its work and the ongoing need for public support.”

Public support remains vital, with financial donations needed to buy essential medical supplies, including syringes used for injections and feeding orphaned baby hedgehogs.

Help give a hedgehog a home

The rescue is also looking for release gardens in suitable areas.

Residents with hedgehogs in their garden can contact the rescue to see whether their garden could potentially be used as a release site.

The organisation also welcomes donations of cat food and dog food, which is particularly needed due to demand for the rescue’s services doubling this year.

It has an Amazon wishlist and an Easy Fundraising page, while further information is available through the Caerphilly Hedgehog Rescue Facebook page. The rescue can be contacted on infocaerphillyhedgehogrescue@gmail.com or 07915 884419.