A DESPERATE appeal for donations and volunteers has been launched by the Wirral Animal Sanctuary after an extremely busy start to winter at their Hog Centre.
Based at Larton Liveries in Frankby, the Hog Centre is currently home to more than 100 hedgehogs who are in desperate need of around-the-clock care.
Founder Steph Oliver has been working 12 hour shifts all week in order to cope with demand.
She told the Globe: "We have more 100 hedgehogs in at the moment, which is more than we have ever had.
"It’s really insane, we’ve never known a year like it.
"It’s just not slowing down.
"We are absolutely racing through our medications, needles and syringes etc,.
"Financially this is an incredibly difficult time as we are going through a bottle of antibiotics each week, a box of 1ml syringes a day, and a box of needles a day.
"Our electricity bill is going to be through the roof as the majority of hedgehogs are on heat mats or in incubators.
Wirral Animal Sanctuary Founder Steph Oliver
"We are sending volunteers all over the North West to collect hedgehogs in need as the majority of other rescues are full.
"We have never known a year like this, every time the phone rings it’s another animal in need, our shift leaders are working 12 hour shifts because of the sheer amount of very poorly hedgehogs."
Now the Hog Centre is appealing for more volunteers to come forward to help out during this extremely busy time and are hosting a recruitment day on Wednesday, December 4 from 6pm, 7pm and 8pm at Larton Liveries.
The team are also looking for donations to continue to provide help for the animals in their care.
Steph added: "On our Facebook page we post every single animal that arrives not just to educate, but so you can see how hard we work and exactly where your donations go.
"We would be so grateful for every single £ donated, please help us to help them."
If you're interested in becoming a volunteer, attend one of the open day sessions on December 4 - more information can be found here https://www.facebook.com/events/1345732592274881/
To donate via Paypal send cash to info@wirralanimalsanctuary.co.uk or alternatively donate via post to Wirral Animal Sanctuary, Larton Liveries, Frankby Stiles, Frankby, CH48 1PL.
If you wish to purchase items to help the Hog Centre, please take a look at Wirral Animal Sanctuary's wishlist on Amazon and have it delivered to: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/LKAO6Q41ODVA
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