Pictures and stories: Please read

[Super Chin]

I live in Fairfax county VA, where hedgehogs are illegal. Long story short, I am working to make them legal. I am in the process of making a booklet for one the the board members, which they will present at a board meeting on January 10th. This is pretty much my one and only chance to convince them that hegehogs aren't dangerous and that they make good pets. It would be very helpful if you guys could post your best stories of your hedgehogs doing something cute, funny, or friendly, and your best pictures of your hedgehog(s) and you. If you do post a picture, please make sure you are in it. (I am trying to convince them that people like them.)

Thanks a ton,

Lance :)

P.S. If you post a picture or story, please also mention your name so that I can put in the booklet whose it is.

[Jessie]

I live in Madision, VA and I had no idea Fairfax folks couldn't have hedgehogs... why? :) My friend had one and she had nothing but adorable things to say about him :love: I don't know if she has any pictures of him or anything though... but what kind of help did you want on him? Let me know and I'll get some info from her. :)

[Super Chin]

Good question. The best answer we have gotten is something like: Why should they be legal? There was also a worry about them escaping and breeding or about the salmonella bacteria. I have covered that stuff, but I want to reinforce that they make great pets. I would just like some pictures and stories showing how wonderful hedgehogs are as pets, how people love them, and so on. Thanks! :)

[bloane]

Superchin, check out the two pictures on the front page of my web page at www.daisymeadows.com (http://www.daisymeadows.com) Those are my two daughters, ages 3 and 18 months at the time, with my very old hedgehog Vanna. Feel free to use them for your booklet if you want. Anyone who wants to use them for any other purpose needs to talk to me first.
Becca

[Super Chin]

Thanks so much! Those will work wonderfully, that is exactly the kind of thing I need. :)

[kaiteedyd]

I have written a little testimonial for you. If you would send me your email address I can send you the file in .doc format.

[PrettyHate]

Here is a link to a picture of me (Laura) and my hedgie Bosco

http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=42346

[Super Chin]

For anyone wanting to e-mail me something, my e-mail address is sonicstorm1@aol.com

[lilchiniesrcute]

my cousins live in fairfax. hmmm i never knew that hedgehogs are banned there. ive been to fairfax many times. no wonder they dont have any in the pets stores!! :laugh: well anything i can do to help, plz tell me!

[teela1342]

The question about legal/not legal is usually not about them being dangerous.

A lot of these ordinances are about habitat and wildlife issues. Hedgehogs are not a native species and the fear from "experts" is that if they are ever introduced into the wild that they will breed and damage the ecosystem.

What you have to show is how that won't happen. Facts about the temp in VA and how hedgies can't survive cold winters. Facts about the warm blooded nature of hedgehogs and the fact that they try but can't hibernate. Facts about reproduction - how many litters per year and average size of litters - to put aside fears of a "population explosion". Fact about the other ?38? states that don't ban hedgies and have suffered no ill effects.

Good luck with your efforts. :)