Keeping wildlife as pets has become a growing trend in the UK. This is partly due to social media. When influencers pose with exotic animals online it can plant the seed that it’s OK to take on a more unusual pet. But sadly for the animals many aren’t looked after properly, and often this is simply because people don’t know enough about their basic care.
At Puddleduck Vets, Phoebe becomes aware of the trend when an African Pygmy Hedgehog is abandoned at her door, and then another one comes in for treatment in her surgery. These little hedgehogs, as the name suggests, are smaller than your average hedgehog and they’re not indigenous to the UK. They look very cute, but they also need specialist care. Unlike our hardy native hedgehogs they can’t live outside and need a heated vivarium to survive.
Then there’s the issue of the woman who rescues an injured owl and nurses it back to health. So far so good, but then she decides to keep it captive in her shed – believing it will be just as happy there as it would be flying free in the wild. Not so good.
Phoebe realises that most people aren’t being deliberately cruel, they want to help but they’re simply not sure of the best way to go about it and so she sets up a campaign, Voices For Wildlife, with a view to spreading awareness.
There are some hilarious consequences – like the man who swears he sees a wolf stalking a donkey on Puddleduck Farm. Maybe Phoebe’s campaign is a bit too effective!
Life is never dull at Puddleduck Farm. Add in the mystery of the disappearing cats and the difficulties of juggling parenthood with a relationship AND a full time career as a vet, Phoebe certainly has her hands full. Thankfully, she doesn’t have to keep all these plates spinning by herself. She has the gorgeous Sam to support her.
She also meets pensioner and ex performance poet, Connie, who’s befriended a wild rabbit, but on his terms not hers. Connie is looking for a focus in her retirement. It’s a match made in heaven.
But let’s not forget Phoebe’s eccentric grandmother.
Maverick Maggie has never been a fan of following the rules and has a far less orthodox approach than Phoebe about how all of these issues should be dealt with.
Let the fireworks begin…
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