Scampers Pet Store in Cambridgeshire is highlighting the plight of hedgehogs in the UK with an instore display that encourages customers to take a caring attitude towards them, including using a specialist food from Spike's World.

"Hedgehog numbers are declining at an alarming rate so we wanted to show our customers how they can do their bit in an effort to stop the decline," said Piers Smart.

The People's Trust for Endangered Species claims hedgehog numbers have declined by more than a third over the past decade, leaving just one million left in the UK. Habitat loss, poor management of hedgerows and the building of new roads, housing and other developments are to blame.

PTES says that hedgehogs are declining in the UK at the same rate as tigers globally. Working with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, PTES is finding out why they are declining. Through their joint campaign, Hedgehog Street, the organisations are creating hedgehog-friendly neighbourhoods, and training managers of public green spaces to be hedgehog-aware.

Householders are also being encouraged to make hedgehogs welcome in their gardens but are warning about misconceptions like feeding them with bread and milk.

Cow’s milk is very bad for hedgehogs because they can’t digest it – their stomachs don’t contain the right enzymes to process lactose. Bread is no good either as it fills the animal up but does not have much goodness in it. The animal feels as if it has eaten plenty, but lacks the vitamins and minerals that it needs to stay healthy. Add this to being given milk and it doesn’t take long for a hedgehog to become ill.

Spike's World produces special food for hedgehogs and Scampers has produced the special display to promote the product alongside caring for hedgehogs.  

For information about the award-winning Scampers store visit www.scampers.co.uk. More details about Spike's World can be found at www.spikesworld.co.uk