Albion, IN - Black Pine Animal Sanctuary has experienced an outpouring of support from thousands of individuals and businesses in recent years, and today's veterinary clinic dedication marked one of the animal refuge's most impactful.
Dr. Jay and Patrice Kumaran, long-time owners and operators of Fort Wayne-based Allpet Veterinary Hospital and Laser Surgery Center, may no longer be working full-time in their own clinic, but their love and generosity on behalf of animals hasn't slowed down.
Joined by their daughters, Aruna and Usha, family, friends, and many of Black Pine's staff, volunteers, and student interns, the Kumarans - now "semi-retired" - unveiled a plaque that will hang on the veterinary clinic they are making possible at Black Pine through funding and equipment donations.
Black Pine, a 501c3 non-profit exotic animal sanctuary, provides permanent "end of life" care to displaced exotic former "pets" and retired performers. Dr. Kumaran and his wife, Patrice, have been donating professional veterinary services to the organization for four years. Today's dedication marks the beginning of a project that will include remodeling a portion of an existing building and furnishing the space with the equipment needed to conduct animal exams and surgeries.
"We have lacked the logistics to do large animal surgeries on site," explained Dr. Kumaran. "This clinic will make it possible to do surgeries here without transporting an animal several miles away." In recent years lions, tigers and other large animals had to be transported off site for surgeries, a challenge the sanctuary hopes will be solved with the completion of the Kumaran Veterinary Clinic at the refuge.
The clinic is dedicated to Jay Kumaran's father, also a veterinarian. J.D. Sampath Kumaran, L.V.P., Ph.D, was a reknown scientist largely responsible for massive increases in milk production in his native India during the 1940's. Today's dedication also honored the anniversary of his birth 107 years ago.
For more information about Black Pine, or to learn how to contribute in support of the veterinary clinic project, or the sanctuary's non-profit mission, visit www.blackpine.org or call (260) 636-7383.
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