Paula Jane Talbot is devastated after losing Audrey the pigeon and several other birds from Northumberland and Borders Wildlife Rescue in Berwick-Upon Tweed at the weekend.
The 56-year-old woke up on Saturday morning to find three hospital sheds at the rescue centre destroyed.
Pigeon Audrey, who used to follow her everywhere, was also tragically killed after one of the sheds came crashing down on her.
Cleaner Paula has been looking after 46 birds, seven of which have now been found dead and another 10 are still to be recovered.
She said she was more heartbroken by the loss of her birds than the damage gale force winds had done to her own house.
Kind-hearted local Rebecca Healy, from Newcastle, has since set up a Just Giving page to raise money for Paula to repair her centre.
Rebecca, 43, said: “She works tirelessly on her own, relying on her part time job and donations from members of the public to run her rescue.
“Storm Arwen decimated her three hospital sheds that she used to house sick and injured wildlife.
“Some of the birds were able to hunker down in the garden, others were not so lucky including her precious pet pigeon Audrey who was killed when one of the sheds came down.
“Some of the birds are still missing but hopefully they will be found safe and well.
“The roof on Paula’s home actually came down, smashing her front and back windows on her car too.
“She is an animal hero and really needs your help to rebuild her hospital sheds as quickly as possible.”
She added: “She lost her pet pigeon Audrey who was her little soulmate but has since found another seven birds in the wreckage.
“I set up the page as I know she can’t afford to rebuild on her own and she would never ask for the money herself.”
The fundraising page has already reached the £1,000 target and currently sits at over £1,900.
Speaking today, Paula said: “I was out during the storm trying to save the birds.
“I felt I’d lost my mind in the panic of trying to find them.
“I’m only a small rescue and it’s only me. I’m overwhelmed by her kindness and the generosity of others though.
“I can only work part-time in order to carry on with the rescue so these donated funds will enable me to start to rebuild my rehab and soft release sheds.
“They’ll also be used for winter food and bedding for the birds that have had to go into temporary foster care while I look for new sheds.
“I’ve just thought of myself as a bit of a loner trying to do a bit of a good turn for our wonderful wildlife, now I see I have more friends than I thought.”
Paula added: “Part of my roof has come down onto my car but that’s not a concern as my heart is breaking for my poor critters.”
Paula has also been inundated with messages from members of the public after posting a video of her destroyed wildlife centre on Facebook.
Lucy Bastet wrote: “So sorry to hear this my heart breaks for your lost birds.”
Leeanne Pearce said: “Ah Paula, I’m so sorry my heart is breaking for you.”
Karen Mckone commented: “Awh Paula I’m so sorry.
“My heart is gutted for you, sending so much love.
“I can’t believe what happened.”
And Valentina Erastova added: “Paula this is just the worst thing that could happen. I am so sorry. How terrible.”
Storm Arwen caused widespread damage across the UK on Friday and Saturday, cutting off power to homes across the country.
At least three people are known to have died from the dangerously-strong winds.
