Focused on hedgehogs

Written by Deborah Smith-Hackett

Deborah is currently studying the FdSc in Animal Behaviour & Psychology at Cornwall College Newquay. 

This blog post marks the introduction of a new passion in Deborah's world, namely hedgehogs, and how a chance encounter has shifted her focus entirely and consequently changed the direction of her studies. 
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About 18 months ago, I lost one of my own domestic animals and I was understandably very upset.

On that day, for the first time, I saw a hedgehog come into my garden. It was out in the daytime, which I knew was not a good thing, so I contacted Prickles and Paws (a hedgehog rescue charity based near Newquay, Cornwall) and they said that this behaviour was not right and they told me to bring it in.

I spent a good couple of hours with them and they went over the animal and discovered it had a really bad mite infestation.

From there I ended up volunteering with them. The result of this is a massive passion for hedgehogs.

It has spun off into other natural species too. When I first started my degree, I was all about dogs and other domesticated species but now getting to work with other wildlife has made me very much more aware of an area I didn’t know I had a passion for.

 From that I have also discovered marine conservation as well, including helping with BDMLR (British Divers Marine Life Rescue) and working with seals. I hate the idea of not being involved with that. I now intend to carry on with a third year of study to top up to a full degree. Originally it was to be regarding dog behaviour but now I want to go in the direction of marine conservation or hedgehogs.

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Hedgehog in Need of Help?

If you have found a hedgehog or are unsure whether a hedgehog needs help please contact Prickles & Paws Hedghog Rescue on 01637 831299 or 07926 576164 for advice. 

For more information on studying the FdSc in Animal Behaviour & Management course at Cornwall College Newquay visit our website HERE or call 0330 123 2523.