Meet Heather Raco

Where do we even begin? From the start we suppose! Heather is the daughter of two animal loving Navy veterans! She comes from a long line of animal lovers, it’s definitely in her DNA. Heather has been rescuing and caring for sick and injured animals since she could walk.

As a young girl she knew she wanted to pursue a career that involved her passion of helping animals. She completed her animal science and pre-veterinary studies at the UofM- twin cities. She stayed in the veterinary field for 15 years before realizing that her true passion lies within rescue work and well.... the sky. We’ll get there in just a minute! Her career in medicine is truly what makes Whiskers Fund able to operate at the level at which it does. Without her expertise, experience, and rock solid intuition many medical needs animals wouldn’t be living the amazing lives they live today!

Obviously with both parents being Navy she grew up surrounded by aviation. Her dad retired with Delta and Heather and her mom have flown countless Delta Angel Rescue Transport flights in their free time. She quickly realized her career was destined for the skies. She is currently in flight school to become a pilot! Best part is, when she buys her own plane she will be able to fly even more animals in need!

When we tell you that Heather will do anything to help an animal in need, we really mean it. The miles driven, flown and walked to save animals aren’t measurable anymore. To know Heather is to know her feet are planted firmly in the ground, her hands are dirty, her head is in the clouds and her heart is on her sleeve. She knows exactly who she is, what she stands for, that hard work is the only way and no dream is ever too big. Heather is a proud Aunite to what she calls 2- legged animals, and a fur-mom to (get ready the list is loooooong):

  • Bubba, 29 yr old Quarter horse

  • Humble 20 yr old Thoroughbred

  • Stella 11 yr old Great Dane

  • Buckwheat & Tempy 6 yr Great Danes

  • Cowboy 7 yr old Pitty

  • Lily 9 yr old black 3 legged DSH

  • Hugh Hefner 5 year old Tuxedo DSH

  • Meatloaf 3 yr old black DSH

  • Cheesy-Poof 3 yr old blind great Maine Coon

  • Hailey- 4 year old Tuxedo DSH

  • Ash- 10 month old Tabi-co

Yes, you read right. 2 horses, 4 dogs, 7 cats and she always has dog and cat fosters!

In the off chance Heather has a spare moment between work, school, and rescue you will likely find her spending time with her family, friends and fur-kids. She enjoys hiking, anything that involves being by the water and of course traveling the world! Heather loves anything to do with music, antiquing and art! You’ll often find her remodeling her home, or someone else’s- she is a jack of all trades! She can lay tile, run plumbing, do electrical and she is no stranger to the underside of a car!

Heather truly realized the need for her to run a rescue when she moved to Chattanooga, TN 10 years ago. Her mom is from there and that has always been the place that feels like home to her, but what she wasn’t prepared for was the amount of homeless, neglected, abused and unwanted animals. Especially the ones with owners who didn’t want to treat their pets. She quickly began taking owner surrenders, nursing them back to health and having friends and family adopt them. Her first TN Rescue was named Mr. Whiskers, a handsome tuxedo who was found abandoned and starving. After loosing Mr. Whiskers, Heather knew to name the rescue in his honor. Mr. Whiskers was quite a kitty, having survived a brutal attack when he accidentally slipped outside. He had multiple surgeries that cost a small fortune but it was worth every dime! Mr. Whiskers was extremely friendly with dogs so it only made sense that his fund was to be inclusive of cats and dogs!

Heather’s Favorite quote is:

"There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals. It is a cycle unlike any other. To those who have never lived through its turnings or walked its rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with full knowledge that they will be broken seems incomprehensible. Only we know how small a price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given."

- Suzanne Clothier