About the centre

The Happy Hedgehog Rescue Centre was set up in July 1997and is now a registered charity. It is the only one of its kind in the whole of Ireland.

Its main aim is the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs so that they can be returned back to the wild. On average 75% are safely returned to their natural habitat.

Most of the calls regarding hedgehogs received by the USPCA are dealt by us at the Centre and because of the present set up with the USPCA this now involves calls from the Republic of Ireland. These calls can sometimes necessitate a call out to rescue an injured or trapped hedgehog from drains, cattle grids or entangled in netting.
Basic medical care can be carried out at the Centre and specialised treatment is provided by our local vets.

In order to make the public aware of the problems and hazards that hedgehogs have to face an extensive education program is provided. Numerous primary schools, pre school playgroups, nursery schools, youth clubs, conservation groups and senior citizen groups are visited in the course of a year. Also several interviews have been given with local radio and television stations.

Since July 1997 over 3000 hedgehogs have been received at the Centre. During the main breeding season up to six hedgehogs a day can be received resulting in up to 55 hedgehogs to be looked after at any one time . Often we can be over crowded but no hedgehog in the need of help has ever been turned away.