It's hog time for placement student Jenna Haslam

My name is Jenna and like Catherine I am also on a year long placement here at Stapeley Grange as part of my degree. I study zoology at Swansea University and when I was offered the chance to take a year out to gain some experience I jumped at the chance and applied to be a wildlife assistant for the RSPCA. My intention was to get an insight into the sort of career that I will potentially pursue after I graduate and since I started here at the beginning of September I haven’t been disappointed with the experience! 

I have to admit that the foxes are my favorite so I am very much looking forward to getting to work hands on with them next Spring but for now I’m getting very well acquainted with the resident hedgehogs and we have quiet a few!

Before I started I’d never seen a hedgehog up close and now I feed, weigh and clean out an average of 20-30 every day. Its so rewarding when you can see the recovery over time with individuals gaining weight until they are big enough to be released. We then get to box them up so they can be returned to the wild.  It’s amazing how each individual has its own personality and how quickly you get to know each character from working with them each day; we get to know who the messy ones are too!! 

Jenna Haslam

Student Placement

'If you would like to help RSPCA Stapeley Grange with a donation of just £3, simply text RSPCA2 to 70007‘ Texts cost £3 + standard network rate