As a specialist wildlife hospital, we would like to gently remind readers that hedgehogs are wild animals and should not be kept or treated as pets, however tame or familiar they may appear (The pet I’ll never forget: Harriet, the hedgehog in my airing cupboard, 23 March).
Healthy hedgehogs are best left in the wild, where they can behave naturally and remain independent. If you find a hedgehog that is clearly injured, unwell, orphaned, or active during the day and appearing to be in difficulty, it is important to contact a wildlife hospital for advice as soon as possible.
