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Housebuilder to roll out hedgehog ‘highways’
Each hedgehog hole will be marked with a special plaque so the highways do not get accidently blocked.

Initiative could help hedgehog populations recover

British housebuilder Bovis Homes is set to roll out hedgehog ‘highways’ in all of its existing developments as part of an industry-first campaign to protect hedgehogs and other endangered animals.

The developer has joined forces with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) with a commitment to introduce highways to all future sites ‘wherever possible’. It is hoped the move will allow hedgehogs to move freely between gardens and provide easy access to frogs, birds, insects and other small mammals.


“We are proud to be the first housebuilder aiming to roll-out hedgehog highways as standard across current locations and our new developments, to help one of the nation’s favourite animals roam freely at night between gardens,” commented Louise Macrae, regional marketing manager for Bovis Homes.


“As part of our new sustainability steering group, protecting hedgehogs and the environment is at the forefront of what we want to achieve and we are delighted to join forces with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and take the lead in the housebuilding industry.”


Bovis Homes is developing the highways - small holes placed at ground level in fencing and other barriers - to allow hedgehogs and other wildlife to connect and access other gardens. Each hole will be marked with a plaque, so they do not get accidently blocked, and customers will be given literature so they can understand how best to help hedgehogs.

“We are delighted that Bovis Homes is making this important pledge to help our dwindling population of hedgehogs,” commented Faye Vass, chief executive of BHPS. “Creating holes for hedgehogs in fences and walls is a simple step but it could have a huge impact on the amount of habitat available for hedgehogs following the development of a site.

“There are many small actions we can all take to help hedgehogs in our gardens and green spaces, and joined together those small actions can make a huge difference to a species under threat.”


Figures from the latest State of Britain's Hedgehogs report, published in 2019, show that urban hedgehog populations have fallen 30 per cent since the turn of the century, and rural numbers have fallen by 50 per cent.

Conservationists say that, if all new housing developments were built with wildlife in mind, they could play a vital role in the recovery of hedgehog populations.

To further support conservation work, Bovis Homes has donated £5,000 to the BHPS and has partnered with national project Hedgehog Street - a joint initiative between BHPS and People’s Trust for Endangered Species. It will also be installing hedgehog homes in green spaces to encourage hedgehogs to hibernate and raise their hoglets. 

Image (C) Bovis Homes.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.