problems

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[Derek]

We have had to remove our phone number from the website because we just cannot cope any longer:

• We have treated almost 700 hedgehogs in the last3 years or so and all this costs a lot of money and time
• We have totally run out of money and are so deep into debt that we see no way out of it. I can no longer just put it on the credit card & hope to eventually pay it
• Many small carers and rescue centres have closed down completely recently and it is all due to lack of money.
• Since the beginning of June 2007 we have reared 16 baby hoglets and they will still need lots of time and money spent on them. We are using 2 big  tubs of Esbilac milk substitute each week costing over £50 so that is working out at £200 each month  just on Esbilac and we just cannot continue to do this
• We know that now is the prime time for babies and hedgehogs needing help and really are extremely upset at not being able to do anything to help them  and many will certainly die without our help, but we have to think of the ones we already have and they are not getting the attention, time and treatment they need
• We are quite well known in our local area and many people have got our phone number and we will still do our best to help those that do ring us, but I just cannot continue to go out and collect hedgehogs from 20 or 30 miles away or even further which costs a lot in petrol and they don't even offer 50 pence toward it.
• There is only me and my wife  helping the hedgehogs and both of us have very bad health problems and this is making us much worse and we just cannot carry on as we have been doing   
• On an Average month we spend between £300 and £400 on hedgehogs with Food, Esbilac, petrol, extra Electric and gas, cleaning materials and washing bedding all adding up. Then we have all the medicines and vets bills to pay. We get in donations about £100 or so if we are lucky so over the last few years have run up  a tremendous debt that we see no way of ever repaying if we carry on as we are doing

All my local vets and  petshops etc have my phone number and I am still getting calls from local areas and doing what I can

I still will help Ali with her 3 legged hog & have a place for her when Ali feels she is ready to come up to me

I know many people here do everything they can and I am not asking anyone here for any extra help but unless I cut back drastically now, the very real possibility is that we will go the same way as so many other small rescue centres &  carers & give up totally and I am determined that will not happen


At the moment I have 15 babies and 2 adults being reared or treated

I can't remember  a time in the last few years when I haven't had any hogs in care and I have been spending 18-20 hours a day just looking after hogs, feeding babies and cleaning boxes, cages etc. Physically we just cannot continue to carry on at this level and really need to set a strict limit on the numbers we can have at any one time and don't go over that at all

I really need a short period of time once all the babies are old enough to feed themselves and are big enough to go into the enclosed garden to acclimatise and learn to be normal hedgehogs

Once  these have all gone, which will be a few months yet and I have a few months with no new ones coming in and therefore less expenses I can hopefully pay of some of the debts and get it down to a manageable level when all the donations and most of my pension isn't  just paying the interest and little of the actual debt

[Mouse]

Derek, it's very upsetting to read your email.  Very upsetting to think you're cutting back on hedgehog care but moreso because you and your wife are under such stress, financially and emotionally. 

Having just one or two hedgehogs cripples me financially so I can't even imagine how you've managed over the years and am disgusted to hear that people don't even offer fuel money when you travel so far.

You've been a life line to me on more than one occasion and I'm eternally grateful.  I know that doesn't help you at the moment but just wanted you to know.

Ali x

p.s. I've pm'd you

[Derek]

I am not giving up, just cutting back for a while

The 15 babies I have will probably be here for a couple of months and they do take a lot of space

being realistic, Both Sandra & I do need a break as the physical effort as well as the mental strain is just too much at times

Because we have such a small place we haven't got the room for anyone to come in to help with them even though we do get the offers quite frequently

I am hoping to encourage more people to take up caring to some degree & even if they only look after 1 adult or 1 litter of babies that will do a tremendous amount

If I could get 20 people to do that, it would be wonderful

So many carers/rescuers near me have either closed down, died, cut back  or moved away so we tried to take up some of the load but it just has been to much

Without the phone number online I will at least get a bit of a break from phone calls and some days I was getting between 10 & 20  calls from all over the country asking for advice or local carers

I try to do as much as I can but the 10 minutes or so on each call soon add up & before you know it, you are so behind with treating and feeding the ones here

I have a lot of local publicity out there so will still get hogs from locally and will still do as much as I can

Money and supplies are 1 very important need but  some free time and time to do a few other things is also needed

All we are doing at the moment is feeding, cleaning & treating hedgehogs and then collapsing in bed at about 1am and up again to start at 6 am

and physically we just cannot continue to do that on a regular basis

Thanks for all the kind words of support I have had already and I am sure things will work out properly

[Hilary]

Thank you for all you do Derek and Sandra too.  I can quite understand that you need to cut back for a while.  As for the expense of it all, that is another worry for you.  I'm sure you have thought of ways to raise funds but how about asking maybe one of your free papers, if you have one, to do a big feature on the work you do?  Ebay is perhaps another way to make some money.  Perhaps you could list some prints of hedgehogs?  I bet quite a few members have some great photos they would give you.  If you are a registered charity then I think you get a blue and yellow ribbon and charity logo in your listings.  Plus ebay donate 100% of its final value fees.  Maybe any knitters could knit toy hedgehogs for sale?    Maybe put notices up in your vets/pet shops as to how people can help by donating food/bedding etc.,  Probably these suggestions are about as much use as a chocolate teapot LOL.

[sheila]

Derek, I was so sorry to read your post here, I know that everyone on here really values this site and the enormous help this site has been to people looking after hogs across the country. Thank you for all you do to guide us and for the hogs.
There are some really good suggestions for fund raising on here so please let us know what we can do to best support you.

[Hilary]

Another idea I had (yes, I'm full of useless ideas  ) - how about making a leaflet on how to care for hedgehogs?  This could be sold again on ebay as a "How To" leaflet.  Some people sell e-books but I'm not sure how to do this.  All the info you already have on caring for hedgehogs could be printed out.  I bet loads of people would buy it.  So many people who find hedgehogs haven't a clue what to do, I include myself in that but I'm learning   

[nicola123]

Sad to hear of this, but there has been some great suggestions of fund rasing

[kiki]

Instead of suggesting fundraising ideas, how about actually organising these amongst ourselves and sending the well needed profits to help Derek and his hedgehogs.  Derek very obviously has not got time to even think about fundraising, let alone actually organise any.

[paulinemiller10]

Sorry to read about all your troubles Derek, its hard work and very expensive looking after animals and their babies, I have looked after ten giant rabbits for six years, eight now as two have died, they are all getting older now, and need treating for all sorts of ailments, also very expensive if I have to go to the vets, so I know how you feel, some days it would be nice not to have to worry about them, but there's always work to do, never ends, hope things get better soon, Pauline.

[Alison]

Derek, have you thought about asking people for a contribution to join the forum? If you explained what it was for I'm sure that most people would be quite happy to pay a few quid for the excellent service you provide here (wouldn't we? what do others think?).
It could be optional so as to not to put off people seeking emergency advice who can't afford it or don't want to pay but if there was something at sign-up that asked people to make a donation I reckon more people would pay than not.

[sheila 2]

Derek, so concerned to read your post. We have had baby hogs for the first time just this last week and after such a short time understand exactly what you are saying. The financial burden can become too much, we have spent £100 this week on milk and equipment  etc. and  hope not to let it become a regular occurrence, we simply cannot afford it. I think it is sensible, tho' difficult to limit the number of hedgehogs taken in at any one time. I have said to my husband this morning that if the phone rings  I think I probably won't answer 'cos we can't deal with more hedgehogs at the moment. I don't know how you have managed for so long, we have really struggled this week, and tho' satisfying and rewarding work it is an enormous drain in every way. Things have gotten so bad for you because you and Sandra care too much, you need to take care of YOU for a little while. I applaud you for all you  do and have done, you have been so helpful to everyone on this forum  and I hope we can support you in return.

[Derek]

Thanks for all the kind words and support and wonderful ideas everybody

I am looking at various methods of fund raising and will let you all know what does work

 The important thing to stress is that I am not begging here or asking anyone here to donate or do anything except look after the hogs they do look after and spread the word around to get others  to look after their hogs

restricting what I take in and when will help quite a bit and isn't really a long term answer but it is the only way and the phone number will only go back on the website  when we are a bit straighter

We do have lots of local publicity around and that has our number on and all the vets & pet shops etc have our number as do the local Police etc who quite often refer people to us

So we will still be doing quite a bit but hopefully on a more manageable level
I think Sheila has found out how hard it is when you get a sudden influx all in one go & that makes everything seem worse than it is

 

[Hilary]

Never for one minute did I, or I should think anyone on here, thought you were begging or asking for donations.  My own ideas for fundraising were just purely suggestions to be considered.  I'm sure everyone on here will help with anything you consider worthy of trying - I might struggle with knitted hedgehogs though    I think the idea of having a subscription for members is a good one Alison, maybe either a 6 month or yearly subscription???  I'm still finding my way around here but it was only last week I saw I could donate on here, maybe make that more of a feature?  I had no idea how expensive looking after hedgehogs can be and I bet I'm not alone in that.  I'm only feeding two adults and the babies but have noticed a difference in my pennies.

[Derek]

I am not keen on the idea of a subscription or membership fee as that implies to people that you will only get help if you pay and I definitely don't want to give that impression

One small thing everyone can do though without costing them any money is the occasional clicks on the google ads that appear in many threads & on the index page or right hand column

every click on those gives few pennies so when you see an ad that interests you click on it so we get a  few pennies each time and eventually they all add up

Just don't go mad and click on lots of ads on every visit otherwise they suspect fraud & block the payments

When you are searching for anything, use the google search at the top of the forum page as that also brings in a few pennies each time, especially if a sponsored link comes up in the results and you click on it
Little things like that, if enough people use them do really help to bring in some money with no cost to yourselves and can be helpful to you also 

If you need veterinary medicines, worming tablets, powders, mixtures  etc try the Petmeds links from here as we get a  very small commission for all sales and the drugs/food/supplies etc are cheaper than from your vet or a petshop

Those sort of things can bring in a surprising amount of money on a regular basis and are helpful to you also

I know we all get fed up of seeing adverts everywhere but I try to only have "beneficial" adverts on here that are directly animal/wildlife or environmental related and for what I hope are good & reliable and safe products


Any other ideas are very welcome

[BWR]

Bless ya' Derek. You've been a great help to all of us in the forum here, not even to mention the hundreds and hundreds of Hedgehogs over the years!
If there was a way I could come down and help you, i would, believe me!....if it wasn't that we were about 400 miles apart!

Just remember to take care of yourself as well as the Hedgehogs. I can only imagine the situation you are in- I am quite fortunate with only having about 3 hedgehogs in at a time, here! Which just goes to show that with dedication comes experience- something that very few people will be able to match your expertise!!

Take Care.

[Hedgehogirl]

Its nice to see some people trying. I see your problem.

[hil]

i've just donated  a small amount via your paypal link.

I know you were not begging. I know a lot of us give to hedgehog societies as it is or are even carers ourselves. But I have had a lot of use out of the website/advice already.

I've taken under-weight and ill hogs to my local carers and enclosed a cheque to help for their care. This is always received with delight but surprise. Do most people not realise this all takes money? Maybe a notice on the wall asking for cat food, donations etc by your reception area may help!

You could also set up an amazon.co.uk affiliate account and advertise hedgehog and general widlife books on here. You get a % every time someone buys one (or even just follows the link and buys another book/CD). Details

http://affiliate-program.amazon.co.uk/gp/associates/join/main.html

Hil

[Chowbelanna]

Speaking as a new person here I am more than happy to make a donation and shall do so when i've finished typing this Derek, you certainly don't sound like you are begging, you are obviously working so hard for the good of the hoglets, it is very sad that you have financial worries on top.

[Kelly]

Hi,
Just last week you came to my house in East London and picked up a hedgehog that I'd found and was worried about. It didn't occur to me at all to offer money towards transport or other costs, I guess I just assumed that you had funding of some sort.

I was really sorry to read about your money problems and the fact that you do all of this out of your own pocket and from a small number of donations.

I have since donated some money and will continue to do so. When you left, you handed me a few leaflets about feeding hedgehogs and also one warning about strimmers.  I think these leaflets or any others that you leave with people should include a request for donations, something like: 'Please consider donating to our centre towards the cost of looking after the hedgehogs we take in as we rely solely on donations.'

If I wasn't browsing this site and read this thread, I would have had no idea and I'm sure it's the same for a lot of people.
Thanks again,
Kelly

[kingsley martin]

Hi,my name is kingsley martin i am the owner of the railway tavern public house in buckhurst hill.i have heard about the good work that you do and it is such a shame that after all your effort that this has to stop....
but never the less i would like to help,maybe by raising money for you and this fantastic cause ie charity quiz nights,hog roasts,mini markets whatever i can do with the help from my wife and my mother who lives in loughton and loves hedgehogs and also has a huge garden with a hedgehog house and room for plenty more.

please contact me on the above e-mail address or by phone 02085054114 as we would love to help

many thanks

kingsley martin

[Derek]

Hi Kingsley

thanks very much for the offer and I have emailed you

I will ring you in a day or 2 as I have a sore throat and have almost lost my voice today

It is a wonderful offer and I am sure you can do a lot to help

The most important thing is to spread the word and help as many hedgehogs as possible

[Alison]

Hog roasts!!! Hahaha     

[Derek]

I have put the phone number back on and we are seeing how well we can cope

020 8508 4056 or mobile 07717 834570

[rainie]

Hang in there, Derek. Sounds like you have done more than your bit for now, i reckon you are doing the right think. If you cant look after yourself how on earth can you look after hedgies. (hope you know what i mean). There are plenty more people out there capable of taking on a few hedgehogs,
What about each of us just rattling off a basic but exciting newsletter on a4 about our own hedgehogs and copying it loads of times and giving maybe 3 copies  to people we know, they can keep a copy and pass two onto friends. At least that way we can educate more people and hopefully take the pressure of overstocked people etc.

[jolly_wozname]

Hi,

New to the forum and most distressed to hear of your situation. I am currently looking after a lit-lun, but prior to this took two to the vets. What struck me was how keen the vets were to take the hogs off my hands and pass them to established carers, despite declaring my more-than-willingness to look after the little mites. As it turned out, both died anyway before they even got to the carers.

Nonetheless, I personally could not understand how carers could be expected to accept every hog taken to the vets. It stands to reason that dense populations are going to promote disease, just as they do in refugee camps. Considering this and the inevitable concentration of expense, leads me to believe vets need to understand it would be better, if only in the long term, for those who find hogs to look after them. The mere fact that "finders" care enough to rescue hogs means they are ideal candidates as carer trainees. Rather than ecouraging them to hand over their hogs, they should be supported and educated. Whilst fund raising for over-burdened carers is important for the short term, this forum and sites like hedgehoghelp should be the model for the future.

All imho.

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