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Mission Hello! Welcome to Quills!My name is Lauren, and I am a small scale hedgehog owner and breeder from Mobile, AL. In April of 2008 I saw a picture of an African Pygmy Hedgehog on the website for a local pet store, and decided to look into owning one. I joined an owners' forum where I spent the next six months, reading and learning and asking questions, until I was ready to purchase my first hedgehog, Nelson, from Patriot Pogs in October of 2008. I became more and more fascinated by my pet, and in July of 2010, I got my second hedgie, Percy, as a rehome out of Birmingham. A month later, I bought my first female, Penelope, from a local exotic breeder. My first litter, Penelope x Percy, was delivered in April 2011, about 6 months after Nelson passed away.I am a small scale, local breeder and new to the breeding scene. I am not currently USDA licensed (although I have requested paperwork) and, as a rule, I do not ship animals. My goal is to provide local enthusiasts with happy, healthy animals and to educate those who are interested in hedgehogs and their keeping. I consider myself to be very knowledgable and considerably experienced with hedgehogs, but I am by no means an expert. Nor am I a veterinarian.If you are interested in knowing more about hedgehogs, in general or as pets, feel free to contact me. I will do my best to answer any questions, and to help you decide whether or not a hedgehog is the right pet for you. For availability, due dates, and photos, check back here, take a look at my photo album, or contact me.

Policies Hedgehogs are currently illegal as pets in Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania.Since, as of now, I do not ship live animals, these laws do not directly affect me as a breeder. However, please keep in mind as a buyer/pet owner that if you transport a hedgehog to one of these states, you are endangering the animal. I will not knowingly put an animal in danger - this means that I will not knowingly sell a hedgehog to a resident of one of these states.I will say it again. As a general rule, I do not ship live animals.This is not to say that my policy will not change in the future, or that I will not consider shipping in special cases, but please keep in mind that if you are not willing to drive the distance required to pick up your new pet, you might want to look elsewhere.I do not believe in the giving of live animals as surprise presents, especially to young children.I request that the primary caretaker of the animal be present at some point in the adoption process to meet the animal and to recieve instruction regarding the proper care na dmaintenance of their new pet. In this way, I am doing my part in ensuring that you as a buyer have all the information and preparation you need to take proper care of your new hedgehog.Upon purchasing a hedgehog, I will ask you to sign a contract, in which you will agree to provide the hedgehog with proper care and facilities to the best of your ability.The contract, which is basically an agreement that you will follow the general instructions outlined on my "Care" page, will also include a section on rehoming your new pet. Basically, if you decide you no longer want or are no longer able to properly care for your hedgehog, you agree to contact me, rather than rehoming your hedgehog. I will refund you according to my refund policy. When you purchase a hedgehog from me, you are agreeing to care for it. To pass the animal on to a third partythrough Craigslist, Hoobly, or another simlar site, is a violation of your contract.I reserve the right to refuse sale of an animal to anyone, at any time, for any reason.In the event that you are refused sale of an animal, any payments made will be refunded.Reserving an animalIn order to reserve an animal and make sure the hedgehog you choose will not be sold to anyone else, you will be required to make a $50 depsit. The deposit will cound as part of your total payment, but is nonrefundable if you change your miind and decide you no longer want a hedgehog. It can, however, be transferred to another animal. I ask taht at the time of deposit we establish a tentative pickup date, which will also be the date that your entire payment is due. If your pickup date comes and goes, you do not pick up your animal or arrange to meet me, and I do not receive notice that you wish to reschedule, your reservation will be voided. A spot on the waiting list does not guaruntee you the animal that you requested unless you make a deposit on the hedgehog."Bring-back" PolicyIf, at any time, you decide you are unable or unwilling to continue caring for your pet hedgehog, I request that you bring the animal to me. I will see to it that the hedgehog receives proper care and, if nessecary, veterinary attention. A returned hedgehog will not be iven back except under special circumstances, and a rehoming fee will be charged if you decided you would like your pet back and I determine that your circumstances at the time of re-adoption. I will evaluate your eligibility for a refund based on your situation and mine when you first return of the animal to me. Rehomes and returned animals will be offered at discount prices on my "available" page when available.Requests for refunds will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.I will not knowingly sell you an animal that is ill or injured. With that said, if it comes to your attention that an animal you purchased from me is ill or injured at the time of purchase, alert me immediately. If I cannot personally confirm that the illness or injury is my responsibility, the animal will be taken to a veterinarian (at the expense of the owner.) If it is determiend that the animal's illness or injury is my responsibility, the owner will be issued a full refund as soon as possible. I do not give full refunds if an owner is dissatisfied with their new pet.Any dissatisfaction with the pet, that is a not a health issue, is the responsibility of the owner, not the breeder. By refusing full refunds for dissatisfaction, I hope to encourage prospective owners to properly research hedgehogs before committing to buy, and to set up a "meet and greet" with the animal if distance renders it convenient before purchase.Any questions or concerns regarding my policies should be brought directly to me.
Ladies

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Penelope

Born April 2011

Albino

Owner: Jacob Clark

Elly

Born April 2010

Chocolate Chip

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Ramona

Naomi

Born July 2011

Algerian Dark Grey

Born March 2011

Cinnamon

More photos on the Quills Alabama facebook page! http://facebook.com/quillsalabama

Gents

Lewie

Born January 2011

Chocolate Pinto

More photos on the Quills Alabama facebook page! http://facebook.com/quillsalabama

Care
The Basics of Hedgehog Care.pdf

Availability

Due to my personal schedule (busy) and my small herd, I do not always have hoglets available or mothers expecting, I try to have several litters available throughout the year, though, adn will do my best to work with prospective owners when it comes to reserving and holding hedgehogs.

For more information about hedgehogs available for adoption or rehome, feel free to contact me using my "Contact" page, and PLEASE 'Like" the Quills Alabama facebook page (you should see a 'like' button at the bottom of the website - if not you can find the page at facebook.com/quillsalabama). I am generally pretty good about posting photos, updates, hedgehog news, etc to the page, and am usually quick to respond to messages and wall posts.

Thanks!

Lauren

FAQ What is a hedgehog, exactly?A hedgehog is a small, furry mammal whose back is covered in hard, prickly quills. The hedgehogs we keep as pets are African Pygmy Hedgehogs, descended from wild hedgehogs which were first imported to North America for research in the 1980s.How did you get into breeding hedgehogs, anyway?Lots and lots of research! And a love for the animals, both as pets and in general. What do hedgehogs eat?I feed a mix of foods, including Wellness Indoor Cat Formula, Purina Indoor Cat Chow, Fancy Feast Ocea Fish and Salmon, 8-in-1 Pet Ultra Blend Select Hedgehog Food, and Grapenuts Cereal. If you are planning on feeding a single food, I recommend Wellness Indoor Cat Forumla.What supplies will I need to care for a hedgehog?The basics are a spacious cage (At least two square feet - a good reference would be the Super Pet My First Home Large, which is 30" by 18"), a large (12")Hamster-type wheel with SOLID RUNNING SURFACE - no mesh!, an igloo or similar covered hide box, a water bottle or dish, a food dish, and some kind of substrate (fleece liners, aspen shavings, or a recycled paper bedding - NEVER USE CEDAR SHAVINGS - the oils can KILL your hedgie or other small pet) Also, if you are unable to adjust the temperatures in your hedgie's room to keep him warm enough, you will need a heat lamp or under cage heating pad. I do not recommend using a human heating pad because they are not meant to be left unattended for long periods of time, and can be a dangerous fire hazard.How warm should my hedgie's cage be kept?70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is typically a suitable temperature range. Pay attention to your hedgie's behaviour to fihgure out which temperature works best for him.Are hedgehogs hard to handle/Do their quills hurt?Because of their quills, handling a hedgie for the first time can be a stressful experience - for you and your pet. I always advise that you set up a meet-and-greet to get some experience handling a hedgehog before comitting to buy. They are not difficult to handle, so long as you handle them correctly. It is generally acknowledged that the best way to handle your hedgie is to scoop him from underneath, using the palms of your bare hands or a clean towel - since gloves can stress your hedgie out with their intimidating smell. I compare a hedgehog's quills to the texture of a wire undercoat brush for dogs.Are hedgehogs smelly pets?No more so than any other small pet. In fact, if you keep your hedgie's cage clean and feed a quality diet, most likely you will rarely even notice a smell.How come my hedgehog is always asleep?Since hedgehogs are nocturnal, they are not often awake and running around during the day. Most likely, your hedgehog will be up and active while you are asleep with the lights off. This does not mean that you can't play with your hedgie during the day or evening, just be considerate of your hedgehog's schedule and try to handle him as late in the evening as possible.Are hedgehogs noisy animals? What noises do they make?Besides the pitter-patter of little hedgie feet on a wheel and the rattling of cage furniture as hedgie plays, hedgehogs make almost no noise at all. However, they are capable of several different sounds, including chirping, used typically during mating; grunting; whistling; and the "Hedgie scream of death," which is a loud, baby-like cry used only when in great distress.Are hedgehogs difficult to care for?Not at all! Hedgehogs are fairly low maintenance pets, actually. Besides cage and wheel cleaning, providing fresh food and water, nail trims, and regular playtime, hedgehogs require almost no extra care at all. Definitely one of the most low maintenance exotic pets out thereIs my hedgehog a boy or a girl?Sexing a hedgehog is easy! When looking at your hedgehog's tummy, a male will have an obvious "belly button", which is actually his penile sheath, located about halfway between his front and back legs, while a female's vaginal opening will be very close to her tail. Which gender makes a better pet?A hedgehog's personality is more dependent on handling and genetics than anything else - in my experience and in general, neither gender of hedgehog makes a better pet, and neither gender is significanty smellier than the other.I think my hedgehogs has rabies...he keeps foaming at the mouth and licking his quills with the foam. Help!I can almost promise you this is not rabies. Hedgehogs like to self-annoint with new smells, or familiar smells that they particularly enjoy. To do this, the hedgehog will chew on the substance and swish it around in his mouth to create a froth, which he will then proceed to spread across his quills, often contorting himself hilariously in order to reach the quills he wantWill a hedgehog make a good pet for my young child?While young children are often intrigued by hedgehogs and will declare adamently that they must have one, I urge parents to think carefully before putting the money and commitment into actually buying one. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, and children will often become bored with a pet that is only awake and active at night. A parent mst also consider that when hedgehogs become frightened, they may ball up, prick the child, and "pop", a kind of jump meant to stab predators and scare them away. these pops can be surprising even to adults , and it is not uncommon for a child to be startled and accidentally drop the hedgehog. Also, when selecting a pet for a small child, a parent must keep in mind that they, the parent, will most likely have to ensure that the pet is well taken care of, since children are usually not responsible enough to make sure the animal will have clean food, water, and bedding at all times. In some cases, hedgehogs make excellent children's pets, and I have no problem with a hedgehog being purchased for a child, so long as there is a responsible adult who understands the care of hedgehogs and is willing to step up and care for the animal should the child become uninterested or prove unreliable.Do hedgehogs need shots?No, hedgehogs do not require any vaccinations.How often should I take my hedgehog to the vet?As a general rule, a yearly wellness checkup is advised. Other than that, vet visits are typically onDo hedgehogs need nail trims?Yes! Hedgehogs nails should be trimmed about once a month, or as needed. For more information on nail trims, see my Care page.Can I take my hedgehog places with me?Certainly! As long as your hedgehog seems comfortable with traveling and new environments, and you are not violating any health or safety laws by taking your hedgehog somewhere, many hedgehogs love the attention they get while out and about you. Always make sure to bring some drinking water and extra food along, though, and always be aware of the dangers of taking your hedgie away from the safety of his home. Also, be wary of changing or extreme temperatures.Why are hedgehogs so expensive?Hedgehogs are exotic pets, and can be pricey to care for, especially when vet care becomes nessecary. This, combined with the basic laws of supply and demand, have driven prices up. My prices are fairly low compared to breeders up North, but buying a hedgehog is still a considerable investment, which is why I advise that prospective owners put a good deal of planning and research into preparing for their new hedgehog.My hedgehog has a strange lump on its body where there wasn't one before! What is it?Unexplained lumps are very important clues to several major diseased, the most concerning od which is cancer, which hedgehogs are very prone to. I would recommend you take your beloved hedgie to a vet ASAP/ Catching these things early could be the difference between a happy, healthy hedgie and a dead one.What is Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS)?Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome is a disease, believed to be genetically transferred, which leads to paralysis in hedgehogs. The disease is basically a progressive paralysis, usually beginning with the hind legs and moving forward until the hedgehog is unable to move at all. Fairly little is actually known about the disease, and there is no treatment. Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome can only be definitively diagnosed by necropsy.My hedgehog is very itchy and is losing a lot of quills!Itchiness and loss of quills are symptoms for a number of different ailments for hedgehogs, and while a little itching due to common dry skin and the loss of a few quills here and there is not a big concern, it is important to pay attention to chnages in itchiness and loss of quills. If your hedgehog is oung (around 8 to 12 weeks) and is itching and losing lots of quills, he is probably only quilling (basically the hedgehog equivalent of teething). A bath with some Aveeno Oatmeal Powder should soothe his skin, but your hedgie will probably be very grumpy for a few weeks. Do not let his grumpiness deter you, it will pass! Quilling can also happen again around one year of age. However, if you're sure his itching and quill loss are not simple dry skin and typicall loss of quills, and your hedgie is not of age to be quilling, you may want to consider the option that your hedgie has contracted mites. Mites can be contracted from a number of sources - bedding, outdoor playtime, other pets - and while not serious if caught early on, they are extremely uncomfortable for your hedgie and, if left untreated, can lead to more serious health issues. I suggest you get your hedgehog to a vet asap, he or she will be able to make sure your prickly friend gets what he needs to feel good as new in no time.Why does my hedgehog keep running off the edges of tables/beds/etc without even hesitating?Hedgehogs have poor eyesight and barely any depth perception. They will often dart right off of surfaces without looking. Always keep your hedgie close by and watch him carefully to prevent him from injuring himself.Will my hedgehog get along with my dog/cat/bird/ferret/other pet?

Links

The International Hedgehog Association (IHA)

The International Hedgehog Resigstry (IHR)

The Hedgehog Welfare Society

(Free! Recommended for all hedgehog owners and enthusiasts. I am a card-carrying member!)

Vet List // Colour Guide (Hedgehog Central)

Hedgehog World (excellent forum, great for asking questions and research!)

The Carolina Storm Wheel (used and recommended!)

Pet Food Recalls

The Hedgehog Primer (excellent read for the owner who would like to know more about their hedgie. This book is not available for download.)

(FREE ONLINE VERSION OF THIS BOOK.

Click the cover to be redurected.

Contact

If you have any questions, would like to meet & greet a hedgehog, or would like more information on available litters, fill out this form and I will get back with you as soon as time allows!

Please keep in mind I have a busy schedule and it could be a few days. Also be sure to provide an email that you check regularly; I can't help you if I can't get ahold of you.

I would be happy to let you

meet a litter to decide which

hedgie would best fit you and

your family.

FOR THE WAITING LIST I NEED:

First and last name

Phone number and email

City of residence

Lauren Edwards

laurenn.edwards_yahoo.com

MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE A SUBJECT.

Hedgehog Breeding by Lauren Edwards, Mobile, AL

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