Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue is a local hedgehog rescue centre run by the animal-mad duo, Rachel and Jay.

The pair have been rescuing hedgehogs for exactly one year, and have had well over 80 of the prickly creatures living in their home over the last 12 months.

Now that breeding season has begun though, the pair are facing the new challenge of caring for lost, injured or abandoned hoglets - and they are inundated.

After running a collection of successful fund-raising endeavours, including the popular hedgehog quiz in May, they are once again appealing to the hearts and purses of Rutland residents to help them buy two new incubators to help save these spring babies.

Rachel and Jay of Pirckleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue said: "At the moment we are inundated with hoglets at the rescue. We have admitted 9 in the last week! 

"Hoglets should of course still be with their mothers however they sadly sometimes find themselves orphaned, ill or injured. In order to stand the best chance of survival they require the supportive environment of a temperate controlled incubator because they cannot regulate their own body temperature.

"At the moment we have borrowed 2 incubators from a fellow rescue while they are closed but this has highlighted that we need to increase our capacity yet again. We are so grateful for the three units we have (thank you so much to everyone who has helped us in the past) but we need at least another one for the future."

View their gofundme page and donate here.

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Alternatively, Rachel and Jay can be found on Facebook at Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue, where locals can find out more about their work. 

Read more about this local cause and how you can help hedgehogs in your local area here.