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RSPCA offers advice on helping hedgehogs
The RSPCA is sharing advice in a bid to keep its national helpline free for emergencies.
The charity is providing online tips ahead of busiest season.

The RSPCA is preparing for its annual summer peak in hedgehog calls, with the upcoming heatwave expected to affect hedgehogs' food and water sources.

With August being the busiest month for hedgehog calls, the charity is advising the public to read its online advice on hedgehog care, with tips on keeping hedgehogs safe in the garden and feeding them, in order to take the pressure off of the RSPCA helpline. 

Evie Button, scientific officer at the RSPCA, said: “Calls to the RSPCA about sick and injured hedgehogs always peak during August, but this summer’s heatwave could sadly make things even worse, as the little animals’ food and water sources are likely to have been affected in many areas.

“People can help hedgehogs during the heatwave by supplementing their natural diet, leaving out fresh water and foods like tinned dog or cat food and crushed cat or dog biscuits.

“If the hedgehog is very young - roughly apple-sized - you'll need to soak the biscuits in water first. You can also get good quality, meaty hedgehog food from wildlife food suppliers. Check the food and water bowls each day and top them up with fresh water and food and remove any food that hasn't been eaten.

“Never feed hedgehogs milk or bread - milk can cause diarrhoea and bread isn't very nutritious.”

In August 2021, the RSPCA received 1,018 calls about sick, injured or orphaned hedgehogs, and the charity is concerned that the helpline will be too busy to help animals in immediate danger. Because of this, the RSPCA is offering tips on how to help prevent hedgehog injuries. 

“We receive more calls about hedgehogs than about almost any other wild mammal. With a total of 6,120 calls taken last year, averaged out, we get about 17 calls a day relating to these iconic and beautiful animals.

“Because we get many calls about injured or trapped animals we have some useful tips to help keep hedgehogs safe in the garden. 

“Please remember to remove sports and fruit netting, cover drains and holes, check before using a strimmer or mower, look in compost heaps before forking over and avoid using slug pellets as these are poisonous to hedgehogs.”

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.