THE manager of a Wee County wildlife hospital has thanked all those who contributed to an appeal to help feed hungry hedgehogs.

Earlier this month, the Scottish SPCA (SSPCA) – which runs the Fishcross-based National Wildlife Rescue Centre – asked for donations of food for the animals.

The response to the appeal was tremendous, with stacks of boxes of food being handed in to the centre within a few days.

Steven Gray, the site's manager, told the Advertiser: "We have been overwhelmed by the response to our appeal for hedgehog food.

"Last year we cared for 2,245 hedgehogs, with around half of them arriving between September and November, so we are expecting to be just as busy this year.

"As the Scottish SPCA receives no government funding and relies entirely on public donations, the food from this appeal will be vital in the coming weeks.

"We just want to say a massive thank you so much to everyone who donated. We will have some very happy hogs thanks to your generosity."

The centre was purpose built in 2012 to deal with the growing number of wildlife the SSPCA helps, and it now treats around 10,000 wild animals every year.

As the Advertiser has previously reported, that is costly work, and the Coronavirus Pandemic has led to a massive loss in donations to the charity.

Indeed, around 1,500 members cancelled their monthly donations, and the charity estimates it could lose up to 20 per cent of its income this year.

Each month, the National Wildlife Rescue Centre requires more than £70,000 to fully function, and donations are critical in providing that income.

To support the SSPCA's work in Clackmannanshire, visit scottishspca.org/join