[fostermom]

Hello everybody!

I have been fostering a hedgie for a local rescue group since last Tuesday. I've never had a hedgie before but they seemed like interesting little folks and they don't eat hay, so I figured what the heck! (My rodent-owning days are numbered, due to increasingly severe allergies). I did a TON of reading, and think I've got things pretty much under control. I wanted to join and post here especially to say thank you for all the information!

Jemima the foster hedgie was dumped at a shelter with a bunch of other exotics, so needless to say she's been through a lot lately and it shows. Right now she is very,very shy, and balls/huffs/pops a lot. We couldn't even confirm her gender until we gave her a bath on Saturday (she really needed it - P.U.). However, she is getting a little braver every day and I am happy to give her as much time as she needs.

Right now she is living in a HUGE dog crate (550 size Furrari), on my dining table. The enclosed sides seem to make her feel secure, but I think the big door and windows provide enough ventilation. She has already graduated from a Comfort Wheel to a cake-pan wheel, and does almost all of her peeing and pooping there - great for cleanup. I read that hedgies poop a lot, but the reality is much less scary than I envisioned. Maybe that's because I'm used to guinea pigs, who. . .ummmm. . . eat a LOT of fiber, shall we say? :lol:

I've attached a photo of Jemima taken during her bath last week. I think she's gorgeous, but I am biased! I can definitely say that I'm a hedghog fan now, and plan to continue fostering other hedgies once Jemima finds her forever home (but not TOO soon, I hope).

Thanks again for this great forum - I've learned almost everything I know about hedgies from you!

 

[Hedgieonboard]

She is absolutly beautiful and its such a great thing you are doing for her She looks like she is really enjoying herself.

 

[LizardGirl]

Welcome to HHC! Your little foster girl is adorable! What a wonderful thing you are doing, kudos.

 

[fostermom]

Thank you for the welcome!

Just had to share - during her lap time last night, Jemima seemed to actually have a little nap on me. The best part was that she was OBLONG-SHAPED as opposed to a perfect, suspicious sphere! I call that progress!!!

 

[shetland]

I don't think you are biased. I think she is absolutely gorgeous!! A little angel indeed. And so are you for what you are doing for this little girl.

 

[Stephanie76]

She is quite beautiful. Awesome what you are doing for this little one.

 

[tie-dye hedgie]

She is adorable, and it is very kind of you to take care of her!
PS- I love Aunt Jemima pancakes! :lol:

 

[LizardGirl]

I am curious, what other exotics were dumped at this shelter? Do you know where they got them, or if any were imported? Your little girl looks more on the wild Algerian side than a hedgie that's been bred in captivity for a while. Jealous.

 

[fostermom]

I am curious, what other exotics were dumped at this shelter? Do you know where they got them, or if any were imported? Your little girl looks more on the wild Algerian side than a hedgie that's been bred in captivity for a while. Jealous.

LOL! I thought she looked Algerian-ish, based on the photos I saw online. I feel very S-M-R-T! :lol: I will try and get some better photos so I can pick your brain as to her colour. My guess is either grey or chocolate.

From what I understand, there was a second hedgie, several sugargliders, and a couple each of ferrets, rats, and mice. Maybe a couple of guinea pigs, too. Depending on your definition, maybe not very exotic. I think the hedgies and gliders definitely qualify, and possibly the ferrets too.

I don't think much, if any, info was given about them. Basically, they were surrendered to an SPCA who released them into a specialized rescue ASAP. I'm fostering for the rescue (Small Animal Rescue Society of BC).

I know who is fostering hedgie #2, and will ask if he is similar in appearance.