Prickle and Paws - Hedgehog Care Assistant

Hedgehog Care Assistant

Where: Cubert TR8 5HD

When: Shifts start at 8.45am, depending on the number of hedgehogs at the rescue shifts can take until 12.30pm. 

Your commitment: Minimum 1 shift a month but ideally more. We run an electronic rota which allows you to sign up to shifts you are available for, there is no pressure or set days for volunteering. If you can book your 2 trial shifts close together this is beneficial and reduces the learning curve.  

What the role involves:

• Cleaning out hutches
• Providing food and water
• Handling and health checking hedgehogs
• Washing food and water bowls
• Cleaning down surfaces and the work area at the end of shift
• Tearing newspaper for bedding and restocking for the next shift

What to expect:

• Two trial shifts working 1:1 with a member of staff or one of our experienced volunteers.
• Care shifts are quite physical, there is lots of bending and reaching to clean out the hutches!
• Being out in the elements! All our new volunteers start in our undercover outdoor area – these are healthier hogs preparing for release which is the best place to start when your finding your feet with hog handling. Our outdoor hutches are undercover but its important our hogs acclimatise so a coat is essential for shifts during winter.
• Tea, coffee, biscuits and a huge amount of gratitude from our team!
• Once you’ve found your feet there is the option to progress to work in the indoor area where the hedgehogs are often very unwell and require more intensive care.

We invest a lot of time in training our volunteers and ensuring they are comfortable and confident in the role so please make sure you can commit to regular shifts before signing up. No skills or prior experience are required, just a willingness to learn and muck in with the team.