Hey folks, I know this is a long post, but I really wanted to post a review of Ouchmouse House, and the service provided by Becca. However as I think she’s quite different to others, I think it might help to compare my experiences.

I got my first Hedgehog Stormy from a local small ad, and I instantly fell in love with this tiny ball of cuteness, who had I known better at the time was an under weight, under socialised baby, who’d been living on appalling quality food.

Stormy was cheaper than many hedgehogs at around £100, so I paid extra for a ‘complete set up’, to make sure he had everything he needed.

£160 later I collected my tiny (less than 100g and way too small to be rehomed) hedgehog with; two thin and tiny snuggle sacks, dried mealworms, kittycat biscuits, Aldi’s own wet cat food, newspaper, a few puppy pads, a bit of shredded card and a ‘zoozone’, which turned out to be a hamster cage – Not a happy healthy hog, not a full set up, no heat source, dubious breeder advice, and a MASSIVE lesson learned.

A couple of months in, and because she’s so good with Stormy we agree to getting a second Hedgehog for our daughter, on the condition that we choose more wisely this time, and we’ll buy the hog as long as she does her own research, figure out exactly what set up is needed, and buys it all from her own pocket money before we commit to buying the hedgehog.

At around this time I started looking for future litters, and as I was part of various hedgehog groups Becca and thus group came to my attention, always around to offer support, and an honest opinion (sometimes hilariously), but always very clearly focusing on the wellbeing of the hedgehogs, and I wanted a breeder who gives a damn and isn’t just farming out babies.

I messaged Becca asking about waiting lists, and initially planned to reserve one of Alice’s next litter (my daughter is also called Alice), giving us plenty of time to prepare.

I watched Mikka’s impending litter eagerly with other group members, and then Becca’s open and honest devastation when so many of the litter didn’t survive.

In fact the more that Becca was honest about the hard work involved, the risks, and the heartbreak, the more I trusted her ethics as a breeder.

So many of us followed Brave (the sole survived from litter B) willing him on, and I couldn’t resist asking to be considered when Becca announced he would need a forever home.

Becca asked for a bit more information following my initial email, and that was the start of what can only be called five star service.

I was really honest – I have a quirky family, and it’s sometimes very bonkers, but there will always be love, I was also really open that this was not MY hedgehog, I will always be around for support, but he’s intended for a 12 year old. In fact the more honest I was the more I thought she would choose another family for Brave.

We met Becca and a few of her herd at the last Hedgehog show, and she was fab, welcoming Alice to meet her hedgehogs and to give them a cuddle – it was clear that the animals were all really happy, healthy and well socialised – big plusses for me.

That night we found out we’d been offered Brave, and I don’t think that in the last six weeks or so there has been more than 24 hours without an update, and constant reassurance.

Becca went out of her way to share milestones, photos, videos and anecdotes as they occurred, and Brave has been very much a part of our family from day one.

We collected Brave Saturday, and in person (just like on line) Becca was fab, we stopped and chatted and met the herd whilst Alice and Brave got to know each other, and it was a lovely and comfy handover (I hope Becca felt so too).

Becca’s set ups were immaculate, and she has the most confident and placid animals, although breeding is part of what Becca does, and she does it well, it is clear that her animals are top priority, not producing pets.

Since we got home we’ve continued to chat, but now I’m sending the updates, and I don’t for a second doubt the level of lifetime support we’ve got on hand should it be needed.

Brave was also £160 (this included an ouch mouse wheel, which is fab), but his care pack showed actual CARE; carrier, pouches, toys, food, bowls, heat sources for the journey, so many thoughtful things which will help Brave to transition that I’m still exploring all the bits myself.

It was clear that Becca had thought about what he would need, but also the little things which would help Alice (who has ASD and PDA, so can be very anxious), to trust herself as Brave’s human.

I keep saying it, but I don’t know how to thank Becca enough for the top rate service.

Brave is a happy, confident, friendly, and healthy hedgehog, he’s tipping 215g and is exactly two months old today,

I consider the people who are on the list for future litters very lucky, and have already been recommending Ouchmouse House to friends.

If I were allowed a third hedgehog, it’d have to be an Ouchmouse x

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