Hedgehogs are on the Red List for British mammals vulnerable to extinction. We at Holmer Vets, alongside local hedgehog carers, have long been involved in treating sick and injured hedgehogs. For that reason we are keen to promote Hedgehog awareness week to help people understand more about hedgehogs and ways in which everyone can help hedgehogs thrive in their own back gardens. Simple measures to help make gardens hedgehog friendly include ways to provide food and shelter, checking bonfires before burning, checking areas before mowing or strimming, checking compost heaps before digging, protecting hedgehogs from the hazards of netting, drains and ponds, to name but a few. For more information please visit the British Hedgehog Preservation Society website (BHPS) where you will also find a link to Hedgehog Street, another amazing resource for hedgehog friends of all ages. As always if you find a sick or injured hedgehog please call us at Holmer Veterinary Surgery to arrange for us to examine, treat and organise rehabilitation, as appropriate. If you see a hedgehog out in the daytime, notice a small hedgehog in late autumn, or have any other hedgehog related concern/s please do not hesitate to call us for advice. Finally, Rachel, the vet, will be collecting used stamps to send to BHPS so please feel free to collect any you might have and bring them to the surgery. Together we can make a difference for our prickly friends.