The Augsburg animal shelter is generally regarded as a shining star among the arks of this earth. What, or who, has not already been recorded here. A turtle that got lost on a skate park. A budgie who apparently wanted to build muscle in the gym. A Cameroon sheep named Cinderella that was hanging around on the outside basement stairs of a house. A family of five Jungarian dwarf hamsters abandoned by a heartless villain. The hamster parents were named Homer and Marge, their offspring were named Lisa, Maggie and Bartina. So far, so tireless.
But these days even the professional idealists from Swabia have to capitulate. In the past few days and weeks, 40 hedgehogs have been handed in – “as many as never before”, as one employee of the Augsburger Allgemeine reported. There is talk of a downright flood and a lack of space. Even the die-hard animal rescuers no longer know what to do with the little animals. The consequence: a temporary suspension of admission. Ouch.
A cap for hedgehogs? The rodents in Bavaria are considered to be threatened with extinction. No hedgehog is illegal, you want to chant! Emergency insectivore rescue now!
After all, the shelter’s action plan sounds less like deportation than decentralized accommodation. With a few simple tricks, little hedgehogs can still be nursed to the point that they can gain enough weight and go into hibernation by the end of November, according to a carer. Step 1: Carefully place the hedgehog in a safe box, cover with leaves and provide a little water. Step 2: Provide animals with wet cat food if possible. Step 3: Consistent care – young hedgehogs should be allowed to hibernate in the garage or basement, including daily feeding and removal of the rubbish.
You can recognize it by its cylindrical curl, the tapering ends and the remains of insects. Understood? That’s going to happen, I promise. Otherwise just ask at the Augsburg animal shelter. There the keepers train the tireless animal rescuers of tomorrow to conscientiously care for hedgehogs.