By Eric Stock

DANVERS – The 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina which is being marked Saturday in New Orleans has special meaning to a McLean County man.

Randy Wheat operates RAIN, Rescuing Animals in Need of Central Illinois, spent two weeks there after the disaster to help reunite people with their lost pets.

PODCAST: Listen to Dan Swaney’s interview with Randy Wheat on WJBC.

“The number one thing on my mind was the families and that includes their animals,” Wheat said.

Wheat said he was often asked why help rescue pets rather than people after the storm. He said the group was helping people – as they consider their pets to be a part of their family, whether they be a dog, cat, duck or goldfish.

He added the biggest challenge was that many of the animals were no longer recognizable.

“When they lose so many pounds and have mud on them and been though the debris. sometimes it’s hard,” Wheat said.

RAIN operates a no-kill shelter and has helped pet recovery efforts following other disasters, including flooding and tornadoes in Illinois.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].