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Hedgepigs and Hoglets Rescue

We are a hedgehog and small mammal rescue hospital based in North Yorkshire.

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If you find a hedgehog or wild mammal that you are worried about please call us immediately on 07506722850

If it is a hedgehog that is “out in the day” please pick it up immediately. The only exception is if the hedgehog is out foraging and is “walking with purpose” or is moving hoglets to a new nest

Until you are able to bring them to the rescue centre or we are able to collect it, here are steps you can take to keep them safe:

  •   Place in a high sided box with a fleece to hide under in a quiet dark room.
  •   Give a gentle heat source, e.g. a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel, leaving enough room for the hedgehog to move away from it if it needs to be cooler. If there are fly eggs (they look like tiny grains of rice) then the animal needs to come into rescue urgently.
  •   Please avoid giving any food until we can triage the animal.

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Welcome to Hedgepigs & Hoglets Rescue

Hello, and welcome to Hedgepigs & Hoglets Rescue. We’re a hedgehog and small wild mammal hospital based in beautiful North Yorkshire. I’m Jill Dodds, Founder and Chair, and together with team of students and volunteers, we run a specialist rescue that covers North Yorkshire and the Tees Valley.

We are a hedgehog and small mammal charity rescue based in North Yorkshire. I am Jill Dodds, Founder and Manager and I used to be a Nature Play Officer for the The Wildlife Trust and Middlesbrough Environment City, little did I know that the wildlife we were trying to protect through play decades ago we are now having to protect from becoming extinct.

In 2015, I found a tiny hoglet being pecked by a seagull and I couldn`t find anywhere to take him . That encounter led to the founding of Hedgepigs & Hoglets Rescue. “Hedgepigs” is the ancient word for hedgehogs, and “hoglets” are their babies; so our name honours both tradition and the creatures we care for.

With nearly a decade of hands-on wildlife rescue experience, I’m as passionate as ever about helping our native species survive and thrive. Together with our voluntary Wild Mammal Carers and Drivers we can rescue, treat and release wild mammal creatures in need

Who We Are

Jill Dodds (Chair / Founder)

My love for wildlife began when I was just four years old. My mum, Joan Shergold, used to wake me up in the early mornings to sit quietly in the garden and watch hedgehogs and their hoglets—or sometimes even a family of foxes—go about their business. These magical moments in our back garden in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, never left me.

In 2015, I found a tiny hoglet—who we named Albert—being pecked by a seagull. That encounter led to the founding of Hedgepigs & Hoglets Rescue.

I’ve spent many years working with children in environmental play and education, including roles at Tees Valley Wildlife Trust and Middlesbrough Environment City. I hold a BA (Hons) in Playwork and Social Welfare, a BSc (Hons) in Social Work, and a Certificate in Wildlife Care, Rehabilitation and Release from the Secret World of Wildlife. With nearly a decade of hands-on wildlife rescue experience, I’m as passionate as ever about helping our native species survive and thrive.

What We Do

At Hedgepigs & Hoglets Rescue, our mission is simple: to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured, sick, or orphaned hedgehogs and small wild mammals across North Yorkshire.

What makes us unique?

  • We have our own oxygenator and specialist ICU unit for stabilising critical patients who require oxygen therapy.
  • We deliver awareness raising talks and presentations and wildlife play sessions to children.

Every creature in our care is given the best possible chance to return to the wild—strong, healthy, and free. We’re here for the hedgehogs, the hoglets, and all the little wild souls who need a second chance.

Testimonial 1

“Thank you for your kindness, time and support you all gave Obi (Hedgehog). We are over the moon that he survived with such a large wound. What a privilege it has been”

by Rachel and Helen

Testimonial 2

“I would like to thank you again for your help and all the amazing work you do. You truly went above and beyond” (Connie Rabbit)

by Conan

Testimonial 3

“I just wanted to say how grateful I am for the care you have given Ronnie (Rabbit) since we found him and handed him over to you. It is so nice to see the updates and know he was given the best chance after a scary start”

by Hannah

Testimonial 4

“...I initially reached out to the Hedgepigs & Hoglets team a couple of years ago after discovering a hedgehog that was in need of urgent help. They provided care and treatment and the hedgehog was successfully returned to our garden. Since then they have successfully rehabilitated several hedgehogs on our behalf. They are always accessible by phone for urgent animal concerns and they are always friendly and professional. The whole team`s dedication and compassion are evident, they manage busy rescue operations whilst continuously raising awareness to protect the species”

by Holly