The Development of the NestGuest Hedgehog House
NestGuest was invented by Nick Fairburn in 2021, after he started helping hedgehogs at a rescue centre in Gloucestershire. But just a year after its launch, world events impacted the cost of raw materials and the costs of production and Nick reluctantly put up the business for sale.
Two years later we decided to take on this great product and satisfy the demands of many of our customers who frequently find hedgehogs, foxes and other small wild animals making their home inside the Kitty Cabin.
Our Managing Director Claire Walker said: “We were being told by customers that they would find hedgehogs had made their nest inside their pet’s Kitty Cabin. And, charming as this sounds, the Kitty Cabin is not meant for them and is not the ideal house. The NestGuest has been really carefully designed to meet the needs of hedgehogs so it’s an ideal second product to add to our line.”
Nick explains the backstory to NestGuest: “I was building classic wooden hedgehog houses to rehabilitate hedgehogs from Newent Hedgehog Rescue Centre until Covid struck. Timber became scarce and very expensive so I looked into alternative materials.”
After much research, Nick eventually chose polyethylene – the plastic used in manufacturing such familiar items as plant-pots and litter bins. It’s safe for animals and very durable - Kitty Cabins are made in the same way.
Nick consulted with hedgehog experts from Vale Wildlife Hospital in Beckford, near Tewkesbury, and Wild Hogs Rescue Centre based in Frampton upon Severn, in order to create the perfect hedgehog home complete with predator protection and plentiful ventilation.
Nick adds: “It was a bit of a process to get the design just right but hundreds of happy hedgehogs prove that this design works. It’s important that we do what we can to preserve our endangered species, for the benefit of all.”
Recommended by rescuers
We've had many hedgehog rescue charities try out the NestGuest and one review in particular stands out, from Addie Hughes of Waterlooville Hedgehog Rescue. Addie says: " I really like this house and the hedgehogs seem to really like it too! It is made of recycled plastic which is environmentally sound and It can be placed straight onto the ground because being plastic there won’t be any dampness penetrating. I like that the tunnel is long and curved which is a good design to make it as predator proof as possible. The sleeping area is very spacious. I would definitely recommend NestGuest to offer a cosy dry and safe space for hedgehogs to stay in."
Hedgehogs are native to the UK but are sadly endangered. Find out more about how you can help protect them and provide safe shelters and green corridors to allow them to roam.
https://www.hedgehogstreet.org
Safe and predator proof
Carefully designed by inventor Nick Fairburn who consulted with hedgehog experts from Vale Wildlife Hospital in Beckford, near Tewkesbury, and Wild Hogs Rescue Centre based in Frampton upon Severn, this is the perfect hedgehog home complete with predator protection thanks to the small opening and tunnel entrance.
Well ventilated for a dry home
The ventilation slots have been improved so that each of the 12 slots are 4.5cmx1cm, ensuring a safe and dry environment for sleeping or nesting hogs.
Recommended by hedgehog rescues
Amongst many supporters of the Nestguest are: Peterborough Hedgehog Hotel, Waterlooville Hedgehog Rescue, Hampshire Hedgehog Rescue Collective and Spiny Normans Hedgehog Support. All our hedgehog partners have given a solid thumbs up for the design of the Nestguest.
Make the NestGuest part of a wildlife haven
Incorporating a NestGuest hedgehog house into your garden or land is a positive step. But outside the house itself it’s critical you create an environment that can sustain your hedgehogs; a wildlife-friendly area in your garden will encourage their food source. You can also make it easier for them to move around their territory.