Hedgehogs require horizontal spacing for their cage.  We recommend a bare minimum of at least four square feet for a hedgehog, with more being better.  There are many commercial cages which meet these requirements, or we can assist in building a C&C cage (similar to those we use for guinea pigs) which are specially modified for hedgehogs.

The cage must have a solid food; wire can injure hedgehog's delicate feet.

The cage must have a wheel for running.  The wheel must be a solid surface, and needs to be at least 12 inches in diameter.  Hedgies also need several good hiding places, as well as enrichment items.

Diet

Hedgehogs are typically fed either high-quality cat food, or a specialized hedgehog food.  It's often recommended that multiple foods are mixed together both to prevent selective feeding and to help meet nutritional requirements.

High quality cat foods include brands such as Blue Buffalo, Natural Balance, Wellness, and Evo.  Purina, Whiskas, Fancy Feast, or Iams are not considered high quality foods.  High quality cat foods should avoid corn and wheat products, along with artificial preserving agents and colors.

Ideally, the analysis should fall between 10-15% fat, 20-30% protein, and around 2% fiber.

Be aware that many "hedgehog specific" foods are poor quality and often should not be fed.  Even the better hedgehog foods should be mixed in with high quality cat foods.  Avoid the following brands:  Brown's Zoo Vital, Pretty Pets, Vitakraft, Mazuri Insectivore, and Zoofare Insectivore.

Bedding

Acceptable beddings:  Carefresh, aspen shavings, Yesterday's News, fleece, Wood Pellets, recycled paper pulp bedding

Unacceptable beddings:  Cedar and pine shavings (contain dangerous phenols), corn cob bedding (dangerously prone to molding and should not be ingested), straw (not absorbent), clay or clumping cat litter (dangerous if ingested), or newspaper (not absorbent).

Social Needs

Hedgehogs typically do best when kept alone.  Though experience hedgehog afficianados are sometimes able to pair same sex animals, this requires much dedication and preparation to separate at a moment's notice. 

Kids and Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs can be a somewhat poor children's pet for many reasons:

• they are primarily nocturnal and may not be awake during reasonable hours for a child to interact with them.
• they do not like being held and are fiercely independent.
• they are covered in quills and can poke and injure a careless child if they are frightened

We do not reject homes on the basis of having children, however, it is important to us that the parents in such situations realize that a hedgehog is not a suitable pet for a child, and that the hedgeie is primarily a parental pet to be enjoyed with strict supervision.

Life with Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are frequently abandoned because of their many special requirements.  Because they are nocturnal, they may not be as 'available' to play with during the hours you would normally enjoy a pet.  They are not shy about showing their owner preferences (and will enforce this with their quills!)  They also have a lot of interestin habits:  anointing (covering themselves in spit), a tendency to defecate in their wheels (making both the wheel and the hedgie messy), and periodically shedding quills (which may be stepped on and can be quite painful!)

Though they are unique and interesting pets, they are certainly not for everyone, and they do not mesh well into every lifestyle.

Vet Care

Hedgehogs require specialty vet care from an exotics practitioner.  As such, most veterinarians are not qualified to see them, and you'll have to seek out an exotic specialist.  ACR&S has compiled a list of veterinary references which may be helpful in finding your pet's new vet.  Please be aware that not all vets that "see" hedgehogs actually have up to date knowledge or relevant experience with them.  An uninformed vet can very easily kill your hedgehog through well-intentioned ignorance.

We encourage all of our adopters to research as much as possible on the animals of their choice (though of course we will work with you to help educate you as well!)   We especially recommend Hedgehog Central and The International Hedgehog Association.  One breeder was kind enough to compile an excellent book for new owners:  Pet African Hedgehogs

Adoption Fees for Hedgehogs

$150 - Male or Female, regardless of color 

Adoption Process

1.)  After researching the species that you are interested in, please fill our our small animal adoption application.  Make sure you indicate the animal(s) that you're interested in!  This is not a commitment to adopt, and there is no fee for the application or for withdrawl of an application.

2.)  An adoption coordinator will verify your landlord approval (if applicable) and your vet reference.  Once these are passed, you will be contacted about adoption.  If there are any questions or concerns about information on the application, they will be addressed at this time.

3.)  A date for a home check/meet and greet will be set up with the animal(s) that you choose.  If we are trying to pair up your current pet with a friend, this may require several visits if the first candidate does not work out.  Please note:  ACR&S is a collective of foster homes, and as such we do not have a single shelter facility that can be visited, although we are happy to bring the animals that you are interested out to meet you, and we frequently conduct adoption events.