Hedgehogs and foxes are being taken to animal rescue centres with suspected heatstroke as temperatures spike across the UK

Hedgehogs and foxes with suspected heatstroke are being taken in droves to animal rescue centers across the country as temperatures rise.

The RSPCA is urging gardeners to create shaded areas for wildlife struggling to stay cool in the scorching weather as the fourth heatwave of the year approaches.

The animal welfare charity said two baby hedgehogs were found ‘in distress’ in a backyard in Somerset and brought to the nearby West Hatch Wildlife Centre, where they were cared for along with ‘several other recent admissions’ due to the heat.

Temperatures are expected to rise to 35 degrees in south-east England on Wednesday.

Record-breaking temperatures were recorded in both May and June, with provisional Met Office data so far showing July was 3C above average across the UK.

Latest research from veterinary group Inspiring Vet Care revealed that their clinics treated 179 cases of suspected heatstroke in June this year; This number is 66% higher than the 108 cases treated in the same month two years ago.

Around 316 hedgehogs were admitted to the RSPCA’s four wildlife centers in June; This was a 56% increase over the 202 admitted in the same month the previous year.

Amy Ockelford, the RSPCA’s senior press officer, told the Press Association that wildlife centers were operating at ‘maximum capacity’ and ‘ready to explode’ and had seen an increase in wild boar and hedgehog admissions.

Hedgehogs with suspected sunstroke are taken to animal rescue centers across the country

Two baby hedgehogs were found ‘in danger’ in a backyard in Somerset, the RSPCA says

He said: ‘These animals do not usually go out during the day, but they do go out because they are struggling to find food and water and end up with heatstroke.’

The RSPCA worker encouraged people to think about wildlife as well as pets, adding: ‘Make sure clean, cool water is available for wildlife and try to create shaded areas so they are protected from direct sunlight.’

Ms Ockelford advised people to contact the RSPCA if they see wildlife in danger.

Meanwhile, Royal Parks staff have been advised not to leave their sun loungers under trees for fear branches could fall in hot weather.

A spokesperson for the charity, which looks after green spaces including Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, said in a statement that it introduced the measure as an ‘additional measure’.

The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow heat-health alert for the East Midlands, East of England, South East and London.

The warning is in effect from Tuesday to Thursday, and the agency warned that rising temperatures could increase health risks, especially for vulnerable groups.

Sophie Barrett, head of health policy and communications at Age UK, said older bodies found it harder to regulate temperature.

2,700 people are thought to have died from heat-related causes in the May and June heatwave, and Ms Barrett said more than 60% of those deaths were in people aged over 85.

The parched lawns of Blackheath in London seen on 28 July 2026

A gorse fire ravaging heathland near The Needles on the Isle of Wight

He told PA: ‘Houses in the UK are built to retain heat, and older buildings in particular are built to keep heat in, so they can get extremely hot.’

Age UK recommends avoiding going outside during the hottest parts of the day, keeping curtains and blinds closed and drinking plenty of fluids, among other precautions.

NHS Blood and Transplant has issued an urgent appeal for blood and platelet donors as blood supplies are dangerously low due to the recent heatwaves.

The report stated that the impact of hot weather is putting increasing pressure on the blood supply, and that stocks of certain blood types are currently only half of what the NHS targets.

O negative, B negative and Ro blood types are particularly scarce, while O positive stocks are also dwindling.

Even during regular warm weather, blood donations can often drop by 5% to 10% due to donor iron levels being affected.

Recent extreme temperatures have resulted in many donors being unable to donate or sessions unable to take place.

The NHS has also seen a rise in sickle cell patients needing urgent blood transfusions and treatment due to the hot weather; This has led to increased demand for Ro blood, seen mostly in black donors, and has placed greater pressure on O-negative and B-negative blood, which must often be given when sufficient Ro blood is not available.