Wheeling Shelter Says Sanitation Worker Saved 101 Animals During Flood

WHEELING, IL — While it continues to recover from a flood last week, the Heartland Animal Shelter is praising the heroic efforts of Antun "Tony" Maticic. The Wheeling business said the sanitation worker saved 101 animals from two feet of rising waters during the flood.

Heartland will be holding a thank-you party for Maticic at 1:30 p.m. July 31, at Waste Management Services, 230 Sumak Drive. The shelter is closed until at least the end of August.

According to HAS, on the morning of June 26, Maticic was greeting the cats sitting in the windows at the shelter like he does every day when completing his trash collection rounds. On this day, though, he noticed more animals than usual staring out at him.

When Maticic looked inside, he saw the two feet of water inside the shelter and more pouring into the parking lot. He immediately called 911, alerting the Wheeling police and fire departments.

"If he had come an hour later, we could have lost many animals. Some of the cats had climbed up in their cages to stay above the water, and some of the small dogs were already in danger of drowning," Heartland Executive Director Jenny Schlueter said. "Tony really is our angel."

For those looking to help Heartland Animal Shelter out, visit its website, where they are accepting donations.