The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after a pygmy hedgehog was found in a box within a cage in Edinburgh.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted on Thursday (20 August) after a member of the public found the animal in the communal garden of South Clerk Street in the Newington area of Edinburgh.
The hedgehog is now in the care of the charity’s animal rescue and rehoming centre in Balerno, where staff have named her Nawari.
Animal rescue officer Stephanie Grant said, “Pygmy hedgehogs can legally be kept as pets in the UK.
“These animals are becoming increasingly popular as household pets but some people may not realise the specialist care they need. We think this could be why Nawari has been abandoned.”
“Nawari was thin when we found her but she has been eating well since then and we will be looking to rehome her to a new owner that will give her the love and care she deserves.
“We are asking anyone with any information to contact our animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
Abandoning an animal is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.
Photo by Scottish SPCA
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
