'Truly one in a million' animal lover remembered

Tributes have been paid to a "truly one in a million" volunteer who dedicated years of her life to reuniting pets with their owners.

Animal lovers in Gloucestershire have been remembering Louise Davies, who died on Wednesday following an illness.

Louise set up the Facebook group Animals Lost and Found in Gloucestershire more than a decade ago after receiving no support of her own when her cat went missing, and spent much of her time helping look for lost pets and scanning animals that had been found.

A fundraiser set up her memory has raised more than £14,000 in one day, with Philip Jenkins, who organised it, saying she "worked tirelessly to give animals a safer and better future".

In 2022, Louise won a BBC Radio Gloucestershire Make a Difference Award for her countless hours of volunteer work.

Nominating her, Stacey McLaughlin said she first met Louise in 2019 when her cat went missing, and was so touched by the compassion she showed her, she was inspired to begin volunteering with the group.

She said she was "out there every single day helping the people of Gloucestershire to be reunited with their lost pets".

"She is an inspiration and a shining light to us; the beating heart of animal rescue in Gloucestershire."

After being nominated, Louise told the BBC she started the group because the eight days between her cat going missing and being found were "a living hell".

Following the announcement of Louise's death on Thursday morning, hundreds of members of the Facebook group have paid tribute, many of whom had received support from her.

Rebecca Leppard said: "This is a huge loss for our county, and for the countless animals whose lives she changed for the better.

"Rest in peace, Louise. You were truly one in a million."

Philip said Louise contacted him prior to her death, asking for a fundraiser to be set up.

"It was her wish that those wanting to make a donation in her memory could do so to MADRA Vets in Cheltenham, who supported and helped her with the animals in her care, allowing more cats to be microchipped and neutered in her absence.

"Let's turn our sadness at losing Louise into something positive and ensure that her kindness continues to make a difference," he said.

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