Our story
Irene Thomson is the founder of Lowton Hedgehog Rescue and has spent the last fifteen years rescuing and rehabilitating vulnerable hedgehogs.
Irene met her first hedgehog fifteen years ago when her neighbour knocked on her door saying that there was a hedgehog in the garage and he didn’t know what to do with it. Nor did Irene. Neither of them was aware at that time that if a hedgehog, a nocturnal creature, is out and about during the day it is 99% certain that it needs help. Well, luckily for this particular hedgehog, it rolled up on Irene’s doorstep. She immediately set about finding the right support and identified a hedgehog rescue in Warrington. She was so impressed with the work they were doing that she promptly volunteered her time despite being in full time work. She became a fosterer, caring for recovering hedgehogs, made her garden hog friendly and released her charges into it. She was hooked and “persuaded” her neighbours to also get involved. Hogs need to roam 2km a night to find food, so access from garden to garden is crucial. And so Irene’s journey and passion began.
Irene now runs Lowton hedgehog Rescue full time, with the assistance of a small army of volunteers.
In March 2025 the Rescue registered as a charity, so there is now a Board of Trustees to help with the boring bits on the admin and governance side of things, in addition to the 50 or so foster carers and 3 satellite units that are all under Irene’s supervision as Chair and CEO.
Our Satellites
It isn’t easy to follow in Irene’s footsteps, but fortunately there are some who are prepared to give it a go! There are always some volunteers who are not content with basic skills training, but want to increase their knowledge and experience, learning to administer medications, follow a treatment plan, care for injuries, expand their fostering facilities to include sick hogs, learn to triage hogs and devise treatment plans, and eventually qualify as rehabbers themselves. The very best might eventually end up running a satellite unit!
Lowton currently has three satellite units, each run by a qualified and experienced Supervisor and fully equipped to provide the same standard of care as the Lowton Hub.
Each of the Unit Supervisors has individually passed the WBC Knowledge Assessment Examination.
They take hogs admitted through the Lowton hub to free up space for new arrivals, and directly from local veterinary practices and members of the public (usually referred through Lowton).
Lynda
Supervisor
North Warrington
Judy
Supervisor
South Warrington
Alison
Supervisor
St Helens
Our standards
Lowton Hedgehog Rescue have been proud holders of the Wildlife Care Badge since soon after its launch in February 2022, renewing annually.
As the Wildlife Rescue Industry is unregulated in England, the WCB are a collective of Veterinary Professionals, Wildlife Professionals and Wildlife Rescues/Rehabbers who have united to develop some self regulation for UK Wildlife Rescues/Rehabbers.
Wildlife Rescues/Rehabbers are required to prove a minimum level of knowledge about the species they rehab by passing a Knowledge Assessment Examination.
They have to prove that they have suitable premises in which to rehab the wildlife casualties/orphans that they take in, and that they maintain high standards through a minimum level of record keeping and by proving a regular working relationship with a Veterinary practice.
Veterinary practitioners inspect the premises to make sure they are meeting welfare standards in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and that they are working within the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Our educational outreach
In addition to the work involved in direct hedgehog care, there is an outreach programme to educate the public about hedgehogs and how we can all play a part in promoting their welfare.
Lowton Hedgehog Rescue has a stall at various events throughout the year (predominantly during the summer months), distributing information about hedgehogs and talking to people about how they can play a part in the survival of the species.
We have a variety of leaflets to distribute to anyone interested, and can give individual advice on request, and usually have a tombola, a lucky dip for children and small hedgehog-related items for sale, which helps us to fund our activities.
We also try to have a fun day out while we have the chance!
Experts from the Rescue are also available by arrangement to give educational and informative talks to schools, Community groups, Scouts and Guides, and anyone interested in learning more about hedgehogs.
As the summer is peak season for hedgehogs in need of care, we are more likely to be available during the winter period when most of the hogs are hibernating.
Try to contact us well in advance to arrange!
There is no charge for this service as it is part of our mission (but donations are always welcome!)
