I came across this story on the Pygmy Hogs UK forums several days ago and it disturbed me enough to want to report it so that prospective buyers are aware of the some of the risks they may face when buying their pet hedgehogs from breeders. The article is quite long so I have divided it up into several “chapters”
Please use the links at the bottom of each page to follow the story in chronological order.
I was also prompted to write this article by the knowledge that the main protagonist of the story, Heavenlyhogs, is still trying to sell hedgehogs and other exotic pets to an unsuspecting public.
I sincerely hope that people who are thinking about buying any exotic from Heavenlyhogs, Pre-historic Pets or Michelle Fountain aka Viljoen under whatever name she may call her company, read this article before they make any purchases from her.
I have reconstructed the story from several threads on 3 well known hedgehog and exotic pet forums. Some of these threads are very long and a full list can be found at the bottom of the page at the following link:
http://www.hedgehogsaspets.com/dodgy-breeders/
The main characters in this story are:
- HeavenlyHogs /Michelle Fountain aka Viljoen from Essex in the UK, an exotic pet dealer/breeder (she also has another business called Pre-historic pets). She is also referred to as Shell in some of the posts
- Ian and Julie a couple who bought Leo, a pygmy hedgehog from HeavenlyHogs
- Chazybabe who bought Pickle, a pygmy hedgehog from HeavenlyHogs
- Ringworm : Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin. The name is a misnomer as the disease is not caused by a worm. Ringworm can be transmitted by infected people or pets or by towels, hairbrushes, or other objects contaminated by them.
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Its great to see this story is getting around and being posted in different places to make people aware of this woman
Yes it looks like it’s being picked up by other pet blogs. I’ve been contacted by a couple of people who want to post about it on their blogs.
The story is about to get published on Ezinearticles.com as part of a wider article I’ve done about exotic diseases and exotic pets. That should generate more awareness.
What I find amusing is that if you type Heavenlyhogs into Google you’ll find Hedgehogsaspets at the top of the second page…. Not bad placement really. I’m pretty sure that she won’t be using that name to sell her hedgies
she is still posting under that name on rfuk which i find quite amazing considering how often she changes her identity!!
As a matter of fact i will still be using the name heavenlyhogs to sell hedgies.Why on earth would i want to change it?
Despite what has been written(assumed ect)i’m sure people are capable of making their own minds up.There are a number of contradictions in your own writings also.
For example if defra did not agree to not only not take any action but to allow the quarantine to be carried out at home then why have i not been prosecuted,and also why haven’t the hedgehogs been euthanised?
That’s just a couple of things i can point out,not to mention the exaggeration of the time frame which is 3mts of non received refunds which has turned into 6mts and the hoglets are only JUST 6 mts old since yesterday?Ringworm was not confirmed until near christmas and refunds offered to ian and julie were declined for several weeks.
Seems to me that people will base their conclusions on “EDVIDENCE” which there doesn’t seem to be ANY of to indicate or warrant the labels given.
I admit refunds have not been sent as yet and i have given reasons for this,in chaz’s case NO vet report was ever received and in ian and julies case they have NEVER made contact to request it in private,only by way of public defamation,insults,jibes and general piss taking,yes buying a hedgehog from me entitled them to a refund if they were not satisfied and not the above.But they surely will receive it in due course and that will be at such a time i have dealt with issues concerning my rats.
I have seen MANY accusations ect of lies,dishonesty ect but NO evidence.
Thank you to all those who have contacted me with support.
It’s unfortunate that when someone upsets those who “think” they are higher up and in control of the entire hedgehog population and community that they abuse their position to belittle others.
Thank you
Correction:hoglets are only in their new homes 6mts.
Hope you don’t mind if i add this article to my website links
No need for me to pop back again at any point i will use my site to address issue in future.
Nothing on your site about this story Michelle. Only about the fact you are yards from the beach…….
I was looking forward to reading your version of the events.
Any idea when you’ll be paying Ian and Julie yet?