Where To Get A Hedgehog Near Me

If you lot desire to learn where to purchase a hedgehog you're not lonely. The number of people who want to get a pet hedgie is growing similar crazy these days!

But as a consequence of the sudden interest in popularity, there are a bunch of sellers coming out of the woodwork as well (and some aren't very reputable).

This means it can be a little tricky to tell the difference between a trustworthy hedgehog seller and a low-quality ane.

That's where this guide comes in.

Below you'll learn all the best places to get a hedgehog and then you tin start things off on the right pes with a happy and healthy pet.

Let'south get started!

Why Buying From A Respectable Source Matters
Where To Buy A Hedgehog
1. Breeders (Our Favorite Method)
2. Pet Stores
3. Adoption
4. Exotic Beast Shows
5. Your Local Vet
Wrapping Upwards

Why Ownership From A Respectable Source Matters

Before we go into each identify where you tin can buy a hedgehog, we demand to explain why it'due south important to get i from a trustworthy and ethical seller.

With more and more stores and breeders looking to cash in on the hedgehog craze, a certain per centum don't truly care virtually the animals. Information technology'due south all almost the coin to them.

Hedgehog celebrating a new owner — **How could you not care about these little guys?!**

This means in that location's a higher likelihood that the level of care and quality of life they provide is substandard at best. Not but is this unfair to the hedgehogs they're selling, but it's also unfair to the buyer.

Here's why:

The animals aren't in perfect wellness which means they suffer and their new owner has to spend more fourth dimension, energy, and money on them. At that place'southward also a strong possibility that these poor hedgehogs won't reach their typical lifespan (and definitely non exceed it).

It'south merely deplorable all around. We've heard from plenty of people over the years who purchased their hedgie from a bad seller and, while they loved their pet, wished they had bought from a reputable source instead.

One of the reasons people fall for this is coin. A lot of depression-quality sellers offering pet hedgies for super cheap.

But here's the thing, hedgehogs don't price very much when you practice it right. Past trying to save a few bucks initially you'll probably end upwards spending more than in the long run addressing various health or behavioral issues.

And this is where it gets worse.

By purchasing from stores or sellers that don't take care of their hedgies it merely encourages them to proceed doing the same thing. There'due south no incentive for them to better the level of care they provide or drop out of the industry entirely (both are fine with usa).

Now that we've gone over the importance of ownership a hedgehog from the right place, allow's get into your options.

Where To Buy A Hedgehog

There are a number of options on the table when it comes to where you tin buy a hedgehog. In our opinion, some are meliorate than others (we'll get into why below) only they're all worth because.

Breeders (Our Favorite Method)

If you're wondering how to get a hedgehog, an experienced breeder should be at the top of your list.

There are a number of advantages that buying from breeders tin can bring you that brand the ownership procedure a lot easier.

A reputable breeder that has been selling pet hedgehogs for a while is the ideal place to become a hedgehog. When you purchase from them you have a low risk of genetic health bug and a trusted resource you lot can plough to if you take questions.

No matter if yous're a new owner or have had hedgies for a while, this makes a big difference.

The trouble is there are a lot of people out there who claim to be experienced breeders, but really aren't. Buying from the incorrect breeder tin can lead to a whole bunch of headaches that you actually don't want.

This is where word of oral fissure comes in. We're going to be adding a total breeder recommendation resource on our site very soon, but in the meantime here's what to do:

First, purchase a hedgehog from a breeder with a USDA license.

While in that location are definitely some good breeders out there that don't have this license withal, this is 1 of the nearly effective ways to ensure that you're dealing with someone who'southward trustworthy.

It's also a good idea to take a look online. There are a bunch of great hedgehog forums out there where owners volition share their experiences with different breeders and recommend ones they trust. Even if the breeder doesn't end up being in your surface area, there's a expert risk you can place an online order and become your pet transported to you!

If you lot would rather stay local (this is what we prefer doing) and so compile a list of the breeders in your area and ask around. See what kind of credentials and experience they have, and see if anyone else has bought from them too.

At that place are a couple of advantages to ownership a hedgehog from a local breeder instead of ane that's far away.

The first is that it'south a lot safer for the hedgehog. These animals are sensitive and in that location's always an element of adventure involved when you need to transport 1 from far away.

The other is you lot can encounter who y'all're buying from and get a take chances to run across the babies earlier y'all purchase. This is a good mode to establish a relationship and besides begin forming an early bond with your hedgie.

Pet Stores

Pet stores are a popular identify for people to purchase hedgehogs. However, you need to be very careful if you're considering this.

We would say that the majority of pet stores are not a good place to purchase these animals simply considering of their lack of experience and commitment to the species. For virtually of them, hedgies are but another production to sell.

They probably don't take malicious intent, in that location'south only a lack of expertise. Unfortunately, that's all it takes to seriously impact the wellness of these animals.

And then while it might seem tempting to hop online or shoot over to your local store and come up back with a hedgehog that same day, we don't call up it's worth it. There are also many take chances factors associated with store-bought hedgies that we tin can't recommend it.

There are definitely some stores out there (usually local) who specialize in exotic pets and have a expert amount of cognition well-nigh this species. Withal, identifying them can exist a major challenge.

Adoption

Adoption is one style to get a hedgehog that a lot of people don't remember nearly. While this does come with downsides, it can be an incredibly rewarding procedure.

There are enough of current owners out there who can't accept care of their hedgie anymore. Whatever the reason, they (and their pet) need someone who's willing to pace up and assistance.

The upside of doing this is you're able to practice some adept and get a hedgehog at the aforementioned time. This is likewise a not bad fashion to salve money as well since you should be able to become most of the necessary equipment for complimentary (since the electric current owner doesn't demand it anymore).

Simply in that location are manifestly some downsides to this too.

If you're adopting an adult that means you lot might not have them for very long earlier they pass away (it depends on their age). It is possible to get a baby hedgehog through adoption besides, but that's far less mutual.

The other disadvantage is that you need to vet the person you're adopting them from. This means asking questions nearly their groundwork and where they bought their hedgehog from initially. This procedure is necessary merely tin can exist kind of awkward (plus y'all tin't be 100% sure they're telling y'all the trust).

Information technology's important to brand sure y'all're not getting duped into adopting a hedgehog that'southward unhealthy or sick. If the electric current owners are transparent almost that and you're willing to take on the challenge then nosotros applaud you. But that needs to be articulate up front.

Lastly, this is definitely the slowest selection on the list. Adoption opportunities don't come up around very often, and so if y'all're hoping to go a hedgehog in the most futurity then yous should consider some other method.

Exotic Beast Shows

Merchandise shows and conventions are another option where you tin can buy a hedgehog. These meetups happen all over the country and bring in large groups of experienced sellers.

Yous'll have the opportunity to get hands-on with hedgehogs and talk directly to the people selling them.

Withal, this method isn't foolproof.

You'll need to be prepared ahead of fourth dimension and know what questions to ask. Just because the people at these shows might be experienced, it doesn't mean they're not trying to brand a buck!

Be direct, ask the right questions (pertaining to breeding practices and care), and you might find a skillful fit. Don't feel pressured to get out with a hedgie though, in that location are enough of other options on the table if you don't go a skillful vibe.

Your Local Vet

Last but not least, you can talk to your local exotic pet veterinarian for referrals and advice. This is something that a lot of people overlook but information technology can be incredibly helpful during the research process.

While we would rather you do your own enquiry and detect a USDA-approved breeder, y'all tin can run some questions past your vet to see what they think. If you hear anything that sounds a little weird (or but don't know how to articulate a question) your vet might be able to assistance you.

Ultimately no matter where yous choose to purchase a hedgehog, you need to find a vet near your home for routine checkups anyway. Might as well create a relationship early and get some advice out of it!

If you're looking into the adoption selection vets can serve as a expert middleman as well. Allow them know you're willing to adopt hedgehogs who need a new abode, and when the time comes you might merely get a phone phone call!

Wrapping Upwardly

Figuring out where to buy a hedgehog tin can exist one of the more than intimidating parts of ownership if you're new to the procedure. Without a strong base of knowledge, information technology tin seem similar you don't know who to trust!

Nosotros promise that this resource helped bespeak y'all in the correct direction and listed out your options to assist you brand a conclusion.

In our opinion, getting a hedgie from a trusted breeder is the way to go. Hop online, find a licensed breeder, and you'll be happy with the effect!