About us
The Hedgehog Help Switzerland association was founded in 2021 by Piet Umiker. In Niedergösgen we have set up a modern rescue station where sick and injured animals can receive medical treatment, care and be nursed back to health. The station has all the necessary medical equipment, for example to carry out blood tests ourselves. This saves costs. A team of trained wildlife carers and dedicated volunteers looks after our charges with great passion until they have regained their strength and can be released back into the wild. Each year we treat around 500 hedgehogs, and we are able to save a good 400 of them. With our rescue station, we also relieve and support veterinary practices in the region.
Because the protection of animals in general is close to our hearts, our association is involved in several nature conservation projects. We visit schools and teach children and young people about the hedgehog, its important role and how it can be better protected. And at regional level, we promote various biodiversity projects to preserve natural habitats or create new ones.
We are a non-profit organisation and are funded exclusively by donations. Thank you very much for your support.
Donate nowThe Hedgehog Help Switzerland team
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Piet Umiker
Managing Director
Animals played an important role in my life from an early age. As a little boy, I nursed young birds that had fallen out of their nests back to health at home. And I took the odd hedgehog in need to a hedgehog station. For many years I have championed animals professionally. In 2016 I founded Tierhotel 5 Stern to offer dogs and cats a temporary home that truly meets animals’ needs – going beyond legal requirements. Because animals and their protection are close to my heart, I am committed in many different ways to protecting them and their habitats. Including through the Hedgehog Help Switzerland association.
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Michael Klauser
President · Board member
Although I do not have any pets, the welfare of animals is very close to my heart. Through the work of the Hedgehog Help Switzerland association, I became aware of animal welfare issues and the problem faced by many animal shelters and rescue stations: there is much more to do than existing institutions can cover. The Hedgehog Help association makes an important contribution to improving the current situation. That is why I work for the association free of charge with my graphic design company Blue Yeti Studios.
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Petra Scheidegger
Secretary · Board member
As a dog owner, I experience every day how valuable a harmonious coexistence between humans and animals can be. Sadly, more and more animals are under threat because humans disturb and destroy their natural habitats. I would like to help ensure that more animals in need get the chance of a dignified life. That is why I took part in founding the Hedgehog Help Switzerland association and support it as a volunteer.
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Corinne Aebischer
Head of animal care
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Laura Sandmeier
Manager
For as long as I can remember, animals have been an essential part of my life. As a trained veterinary practice assistant, I have the privilege of working directly with the hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are fascinating and valuable residents. Sadly, however, they are increasingly fighting for their survival. Habitat loss, heavy traffic and the decline of natural food sources are taking a heavy toll on these small spiny animals. It is not only our duty but also a privilege to care for those who cannot help themselves. Working with hedgehogs reminds me of this every day. My profession is not just a job, but a matter close to my heart. Every hedgehog I care for reminds me why I chose this path: hedgehogs deserve respect, care and protection.
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Patrizia Luchsinger
Wildlife carer
My valuable experience at another hedgehog station taught me how important it is to help these fascinating animals in difficult situations. With heart and expertise, I am committed to ensuring that these small spiny animals receive the support they deserve. Whether by caring for injured and weak hedgehogs, through education or by building hedgehog-friendly habitats. Animals are very close to my heart, and the protection of our native hedgehogs in particular is of great importance to me. They are not only an essential part of our ecosystem, but are also threatened by habitat loss and environmental factors.
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Martina Schaffner
Wildlife carer
Animals are my passion – and have been all my life. For many years I worked as a qualified animal keeper (EFZ) at Tierhotel 5 Stern, where I was able to look after and pamper countless animals.
Today I devote my time and my heart to the small, prickly residents of our gardens. With great patience and care, I work to give injured and orphaned hedgehogs a second chance – until they are healthy and strong enough to return to the wild. Alongside my work for the hedgehogs at the station, I am also committed to preserving and promoting their natural habitats, so that they will continue to find enough food, shelter and safe places of refuge in the future.
Thank you
The Hedgehog Help Switzerland association can count on many private individuals, companies, municipalities, organisations, nature and environmental conservation professionals, vets and specialist agencies. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who works alongside us and whose support makes our work possible and secures it for the long term.
Among others, we are supported by:
- Exolynx
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We are actively committed to animal welfare and the preservation of biodiversity – even beyond our core business, which is the electrical planning of building services systems.
In our view, Hedgehog Help Switzerland makes a valuable contribution to sustainable species conservation and thus does particularly important and responsible work.
We are glad to support the organisation with conviction.
Aare Elektroplan AG