Christmas FAQ

Last Updated on April 30, 2020.

Will you have babies available for Christmas?

YES! We breed year round and do plan on having babies available for Christmas.
Keep in mind that Christmas is our busiest time of year and we have limited availability so the earlier you reserve a baby the more likely we are going to be able to meet your requests.
We do NOT recommend hedgehogs as surprise gifts (see below) so decide if you want to make your appointment BEFORE Christmas or AFTER Christmas.

Do you ever sell out?

There are times when we do sell out.
We always make sure people with their deposits get first priority on selecting a baby.
Babies are offered to people on the deposit list before they are listed individually online. We will do our very best to make matches and the more simple the request the easier we can make a match. For example, a request for a normal colored male (or female) is fairly easy but a request for a female apricot may be harder because it is a more rare color and a specific gender.
Babies are typically six to eight weeks old before they go to new homes. We wait to make assignments until we know the babies are going to be ready to go at the desired appointment time. For example, someone coming after Christmas is likely to be assigned a younger baby than someone who has an appointment before Christmas. Babies grow at their own rate so there may be some variation.
We will notify customers when they receive a match and babies will be listed online. If there is another hedgehog listed as “Available” customers are more than welcome to make ONE change before you come. The more changes we have the more likely we are to make a mistake and we want to avoid mistakes if at all possible.

When can I come for a visit?

We have regular appointment times throughout the holiday season. We do a bit of traveling as a family but we do our best to accommodate your needs. If you cannot make one of our posted appointment times we will do our best to meet your needs while still protecting our time with our family
Again, we do NOT recommend hedgehogs as surprise gifts (see below) so decide if you want to make your appointment BEFORE Christmas or AFTER Christmas.

Can I reserve my appointment time without reserving a specific hedgehog?

YES! All you need to do is choose an Educational Visit when you make your deposit.
Your deposit can be transferred to a specific animal within two weeks of your visit.
Your deposit is non-refundable so we recommend making your deposit no more than one month in advance.

How do I make a deposit?

Use our Make A Deposit link on our website to place a $25 deposit. The last button says “Other” and you will be able to fill in your information.
Feel free to send a follow up email if you feel we need more clarification. We will also verify your information with you.
Please refer to our Deposit Agreement and Deposit Refunds information, before placing your deposit.

How do I choose a baby?

You can choose your baby from the Available Animals page within a two week time frame of your visit.
We always make sure people with their deposits get first priority on selecting a baby.

Can I still see other available babies even if I choose one in advance?

YES!
We will have at least two other babies for you to meet at your visit. You are more than welcome to choose the one that is the best fit for you.

Can I choose my baby at the time of my visit?

YES! We understand that an online match is not always the best match for our customers.
We will do our best to make a match and reserve a hedgehog for you based on your description but we will have two additional “back-ups” available so that you have a choice.

Are hedgehogs good pets for youth and children?

Our Pets for Youth and Children Article outlines many of the things to consider when purchasing a hedgehog as a gift for a child.
Sometimes children have expectations of what a hedgehog is going to be like as a pet. So when they meet a hedgehog for the first time they may be disappointed.
Hedgehogs can be very prickly and some children are not prepared for a possibly pokey hedgehog while going through the bonding process.
When hedgehogs are given as gifts the opportunity for a child to change his/her mind about having a hedgehog as a pet is lost.

How do I choose my hedgehog?

It is very important to read our article Pets for Youth and Children. We want all children and families to be prepared to be a forever family for a new pet.
Some hedgehog breeders have a small herd and babies are reserved and sold based on availability.
Other breeders are able to offer an opportunity to select a pet from a small group of hedgehogs.
The opportunity to select a hedgehog based on its personality is a wonderful experience, and we encourage you to take advantage of this option if it is available.

Is it important to spend time with the breeder?

The time you spend with your breeder is one of the most important parts in purchasing a hedgehog.
An experienced and knowledgeable breeder will give new owners lots of handling and care advice. A good breeder’s handling demonstration and the new owner’s practice with the hedgehog are keys to the new owner’s success.
Learning to handle a hedgehog is comparable to learning to ride a bike or any other type of lesson. Personal instruction and practice is much better than watching a video or reading a book and will have significantly greater results.

How do I give a hedgehog as a gift without giving the actual animal?

Gift certificate – many breeders will create a gift certificate to buy hedgehogs.
Cage – a wrapped cage and/or accessories can be a great surprise for the new hedgehog owner.
Stuffed animal – cute stuffed animal hedgehogs are excellent options for temporary substitutions of the real thing!
Mystery Ride – some new hedgehog owners may enjoy the thrill of a mystery ride to pick up their new pet.

Primary Author:
Gail Miller, Millermeade Farm’s “Critter Connection”

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