Louise Stott has been volunteering for RSPCA Victoria’s Epping Animal Welfare Facility for eight years.
Her efforts have been recognised with a nomination for Volunteer of the Year in the Companion Animal Rescue Awards.
The awards celebrate achievements in rescue and companion animal welfare.
Ms Stott said she started volunteering at the facility after moving to Australia from England.
“I wanted something to do, as I didn’t have a job at the time,” she said.
“I’ve always loved animals, so it was a good fit.
“It was a way of giving to the community.”
Ms Stott works in the facility’s cattery, and has also taken on the role of fostering new arrivals.
She said it can be challenging at times.
“I [recently] brought a litter home that was about four weeks old,” she said.
“Unfortunately, we lost one.
“Over eight years, I’ve fostered over 150 kittens, and one dog.”
Ms Stott said there was one obvious highlight of her volunteer work.
“When you see either your own foster animals, or the long term stay animals who have had to go through operations and things, go home, it’s so great,” she said.
“To see them find their forever home is amazing.”
Michaela Meade
