Odd Question...

[eponine454]

Hi there. Well I am just DESPERATE to get a hedgehog! But I can't for a whole YEAR because of a debt-reduction program that my husband and I are doing. What a dilemma...I've already got a cage pretty much all set up and ready to go. I was wondering if there were any programs out there that supply money to buy a hedgehog. I know it sounds crazy, but it never hurts to ask, right? I know there are rescue programs but I don't know if I want to start out with a rescue hedgie and they all seem to be out of state for me (I'm in Virginia.)

Does anyone have any input?

[Nancy]

I would say you need to wait until you can afford one. The purchase price of any animal is just a small part of the expenses you will have to put out. What happens if you get one and it gets sick and requires expensive vet care. All hedgehogs or any other animal should have a vet check within weeks of his/her arrival. Plus there is food, bedding and for hedgehogs you must have a alternate heat source which costs money to buy and to operate.

IMHO hedgehogs are not an animal for someone with limited finances. :)

[eponine454]

*sigh* I know. I have lots of fleece that I'm making cage liners out of and I already have a space heater ready and waiting. I told myself that I was gonna spend the next 10 months getting ready and preparing the perfect house for my little hedgie but the wait is driving me CRAZY!

Anyone have any tips on staying sane? :|

[Pringlesmom]

I agree...Pringle got sick quickly after Christmas with WHS and the vet bills piled up. One months credit card bill was used only on him. I think from Christmas through when he passed his expenses were around $400 including xrays, meds, a second opinion, and final services. I understand that you want one, but I would wait. You wouldn't want to get one just to please yourself and then risk not being able to afford him/her down the line and have to give him up or not treat his ailments.

[Nancy]

Well just think of it this way. If you keep researching and getting prepared when you finally are albe to afford your hedgie you will be the most knowledgeable and best prepared new hedgie owner ever. :)

And remember the saying "good things come to those that wait". :)

[eponine454]

ya'll are right, I know. I'll wait (of course I don't have too much of a choice) I'll just keep preparing. :)

Thanks for keeping me in check.

[Vampira_666]

I agree with Teasels mom :) .."good things come to those who wait" :D and you also want to make sure you can afford to keep the hedgehog as well as buy the hedgehog all the necessary requirements he/she will need.. I waited and now I have 3 wonderful Hedgehogs..whom I love all to much :laugh:

[who00knows]

Yeah I would wait until you have money to spend. I have spent well over a thousand bucks within the first 2 months ive had my hedgie. I got an unexpected two babies, and i rescued the father of the babies. I thought the initial 140 bucks wasnt that bad. You can pretty much expect to spend 70 more bucks on the vet visit right when you get there.

[Super Chin]

Just keep researching. I have been waiting for about 7 months now, for different reasons than yours, and still have a few weeks to go. It will just make it better when you do get yours! :)

[eponine454]

Superchin, I know you're right...and I do love anticipation. I'm gonna be the BEST hedgie-mom.

And I've talked about it so much at work that now one of my bosses is talking about getting me one for my birthday...which isn't until June, so that's still several months away. how cool would THAT be? And we have money budgeted for vet bills anyway (since we have two dogs) so that's not a huge issue.

but in the meantime...I wait! :)