FOUNDER MEMBER of the Perthshire Abandoned Dogs Society (PADS), Heidi Beerensson, has died, aged 83.

Miss Beerensson (pictured) was rushed to Perth Royal Infirmary last week with a suspected cerebral haemorrhage. She never regained consciousness and died peacefully on Wednesday afternoon.

A well-known and much-loved figure in Perth, Miss Beerensson worked tirelessly for PADS for the last 20 years of her life.

She raised many thousands of pounds for the charity through her Christmas appeals and the sale of her books about animals, notably her little autobiography entitled They All Jumped!

Over many years, with her beloved mongrel Sula always at her side, she gave countless talks to schools and youth organisations on responsible dog ownership and the care and welfare of man’s best friend. She wrote pamphlets for new owners of rescued dogs on how to care for them and give them the love they needed.

A fiercely independent and strong-minded woman, Miss Beerensson campaigned ceaselessly against neglect and cruelty to animals in all its forms.

PADS chairperson Alison Kennedy said last night, “We are all deeply saddened by Heidi’s sudden death. In many ways Heidi epitomised what PADS has always been all about and she will be greatly missed.

“She cared passionately all her life about the welfare of animals, particularly dogs, and her contribution to PADS is inestimable. Life will simply not be the same without Heidi.

“Her dream always was that every dog should have a secure and loving home and that cruelty to dogs should become a thing of the past.

“She was always an inspiration to the charity and we will all continue to work to try and make Heidi’s dream come true.”

Miss Beerensson had a varied and interesting life. During the second world war she was with the RAF Medical Corps, after which followed a career in journalism in London. She then worked for many years in the probation service.