When your cat or dog is sick, what do you do? You take them to the vet, of course. For our domestic animals, it’s easy for them to get care when they break a bone or need a round of antibiotics. We take for granted that our pets at home are able to receive treatment when they need it. Unlike the animals living with us, undomesticated animals with broken bones or illnesses are often left to perish, or suffer in pain. It’s not a fun thing to think about – if only there was some way to help?
Enter Saint Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital. Despite their silly name, they mean serious business when it comes to caring for the cuties who need it most. In 1978, Sue and Les Stocker founded their wildlife hospital in Great Britain. Before they knew it, they were overflowing with toad, badger, deer, owl, and a plethora of other wildlife patients. In 1984, they were caring for so many hedgehog patients that they had to dedicate and entire unit just to hedgehogs. A real-life hedgehog hospital: how cute!
Saint Tiggywinkles is named after the Beatrix Potter character, Mrs. Tiggy-winkle.
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Hedgehogs often get caught in drains, nets, and traps.
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Saint Tiggywinkles gives great advice on how to care for an injured hedgehog, should you come across one on your own.
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Meet Rupert, one of the center’s most famous patients.
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His mother was unfortunately hit by a car while she was pregnant. She couldn’t be saved, but little Rupert was delivered prematurely by C-section.
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He was so premature that he couldn’t even open his eyes or suckle, but he was kept under 24-hour watch in an incubator.
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Sadly, though everything was done to save him, Rupert didn’t make it.
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His story is a reminder that every creature deserves a chance at life, no matter how small.
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Saint Tiggywinkles is currently treating nearly 1,500 wild animals at its facility.
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This little guy is so small!
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So either make sure you get the proper information on how to approach a situation…
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She’s got her hand full!
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This little bird wants to remind you ONE more time to make sure to exercise caution when approaching a wild animal, because even though YOU know that you want to help, HIS instinct is to flee from you.
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(via Little Things)
Saint Tiggywinkles is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They have a staff of trained nurses and surgeons dedicated to bettering the lives to some of Great Britain’s tiniest wild companions. They treat 10,000 animals a year, with absolutely zero government funding. Consider making a donation on their website and share this post to get them the help they need!
