A NEW £300,000 hedgehog hospital has been officially opened in St Mawgan.

Prickles and Paws has transferred its rescue and rehabilitation operations from Cubert to a state-of-the art facility at the Carnanton Estate.

The launch event was attended by several representatives of charities, businesses and local councillors.

Guests enjoyed a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of the new facilities and heard from the charity’s co-founders, Katy South and Diane South, alongside CEO John Lewis, about how the new centre will continue and expand the high level of care the team already provide.

Hugh Warwick, from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, who is a patron for Prickles and Paws, made a speech before Katy and Diane cut the ribbon to officially open the ‘hogspital’.

The new hogspital has been funded by members of the public, corporate sponsors and charitable trusts,

The facility will significantly expand the charity’s capacity for admissions, treatment and rehabilitation. Prickles and paws previously operated from converted outbuildings in a residential back garden, which the charity was rapidly outgrowing.

The team now has access to purpose-built clinical spaces designed to deliver the highest standards of care, while providing a safe, professional and sustainable working environment for staff and volunteers.

The hogspital also prioritises environmental sustainability following solar panels and battery storage being installed to reduce the charity’s carbon footprint and save on energy costs to ensure that more resources can be directed straight into frontline animal care.

Charity co-founder and rescue director Katy South said: “After three long years of fundraising and construction, yesterday was a day of pure elation for the whole team.

“To move into spacious clinical rooms designed specifically for hedgehog care is an extraordinary milestone.

“When my mum and I founded the rescue nine years ago, we could never have imagined the level of support the charity would one day receive.

“We are profoundly grateful to every single person who helped make this possible, from our subscribers and followers to our volunteers, patrons, charitable funders and corporate sponsors.

“Every contribution has brought us to this moment and will help us to rescue and rehabilitate more hedgehogs than ever before.”

Prickles and Paws is calling on the community to help sustain its work by joining Prickle Planet, a regular giving scheme to support essential day to day costs including food, medication and specialist veterinary treatment.

CEO Mr Lewis said: “Hedgehogs are among the UK’s most cherished wild animals, yet they are officially classified as vulnerable to extinction.

“Prickles and Paws has worked tirelessly for years to help reverse this decline through education, outreach and hands-on rescue and rehabilitation.

“The hogspital marks a major new chapter in our story and a significant step forward for hedgehog welfare in the region.

“As an independent charity that receives no government funding, sustained public support is essential. I urge fellow hedgehog lovers to join our regular giving scheme.

“From just £3 per month, supporters can make a lasting and tangible difference to the lives of these remarkable animals.”