Exhibit A

[Peep_erz]

I volunteer at a wild life care center and occasionally we get illegal exotic animals that are surrendered. Yesterday we got in a hedge hog! We are knowingly doing some things bad until we can get proper care equipment for it. Today we had it running around in a giant ball because it didn't come in with a wheel and we don't have any safe wheels at the moment.

What else should be done for the hedgies comfort and safety? I'll bring in fleece to line the cage with and a wheel. It is sleeping in a small flat rate box with a towel at the moment. I have an extra super pet igloo from my chinnies. Would that be better than the box?

I can't totally deck out the cage like its a pet but I do want it to be safe for the hedge hog. I'll be perusing the housing section to find ideas too.

The hedge hog will stay at the care center as "evidence" for the Department of Fish and Game. Not sure how long they will leave it in our care, so for now I'll call it Exhibit A. Hopefully it'll be like the sugar glider and just left to live out its life at the care center. If not they take it and euthanize it.


oh, I'm not sure if I can post pictures of it or not. There is certain picture protocol that I have to follow since its a "wild animal". If I can though I will. )

 

[Nancy]

Please do not allow it to be euthanized. There are people out of state that will take it in. You can contact Sheila at [email protected] She is the rescue coordinator at the Hedgehog Welfare Society and she can make arrangements for it to go out of state and be cared for.

A guinea pig or rabbit cage is a good cage. Avoid levels and make sure it is escape proof. The SuperPet igloo is a good bed with a piece of fleece inside to snuggle in. If you bring a wheel, make sure it is solid surface with no rungs, mesh, or openings in the running surface to catch tiny nails and toes.

 

[Peep_erz]

Its up to the Department of Fish and Game. As long as its evidence we can't do anything but care for it. I will pass on that info to our coordinator though. If they let us keep it i'm sure she would rather adopt it out or transfer it to a rescue.

 

[Peep_erz]

Just heard back from our chairperson. Fish and Game are more than likely not going to prosecute so it won't be euthanized. She said I can contact Sheila to find him a legal, better home.

 

[Nancy]

That is wonderful news.

 

[Linda]

I am surprised Fish and Game might prosecute when people are so blatantly acknowledging that they own them and breed them in the state. I'm a few hours south of you, and every week we have illegal animals offered for sale on Craigslist. Some get flagged off -- especially a recent hedgehog breeder who was posting litters.

Right now (and they usually delete their previous messages or have them flagged), there is

Hedgehog
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pet/1629906097.html

Sugar Gliders (including a breeding pair at third link)
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pet/1623041647.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/pet/1629147076.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pet/1607214028.html

Ferrets (partial list)
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pet/1632075948.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pet/1593985553.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pet/1605600819.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pet/1626391063.html

Linda

 

[Euphoric]

I live in Arizona where Hedgehogs are illegal and I see them as pets all the time. But when a local shelter got in tons of hedgehogs from a hoarding incident, they were all rescued and rehomed out of state (the ones who were healthy enough), as it is policy to find a rescue before euthenizing first.

I can't believe so many exotics are illegal in California!

 

[Peep_erz]

Yeah California pretty much made all/most exotics illegal. Chins only legal because they can be listed under livestock.

The hedgie is doing ok. He seems to be eating and drinking a lot with lots of poopies but I haven't seen any poops on the comfort wheel I brought in for him. Should we be concerned that he isn't using the wheel?

 

[Peep_erz]

UPDATE!

Fish and Game decided to contact the Fresno Zoo and the hedgie went there to live the rest of his life. Normally they surrender the animal to us after they are done with it but this time they made their own arrangements. Hopefully he his happy and healthy in his new home.

 

[ChiLover]

Happy Ending!