Devon wildlife charity faces closure

ELM Wildlife Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation saves more than 1,500 wild animals a year

Baby hedgehog being fed
Author: Sophie SquiresPublished 8th Aug 2023
Last updated 8th Aug 2023

Devon's largest wildlife rescue centre is facing "imminent closure" unless it can find a new home.

ELM Wildlife Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation currently operates at a facility near Newton Abbot, supporting thousands of wild animals.

However, they face being homeless from the end of August and need to raise £400,000 to set up a new base.

The team say their current centre's capacity "cannot keep up with demand".

Their GoFundMe page says: "The charity receives no local authority or government money and is funded by the generous donations of its supporters and the public.

"However, the future for the charity looks bleak and the vital work it does is in jeopardy, unless an alternative location is urgently found.

"ELM Wildlife rescues many species of wildlife when space to house them is available, but unfortunately, the centres capacity cannot keep up with the demand, although hopefully, that would change with new premises.

"ELM is a specialist in hedgehog care and currently have 200+ hedgehogs in the rescue centre, a substantial proportion of which are abandoned or orphaned hoglets requiring hand rearing. They all risk facing eviction if the Rescue can’t find somewhere to go."

The charity has raised more than £6,000 so far. You can find their GoFundMe page here.