Mural of Phran and her dog at the new facility. Painted by Murfreesboro Murals. Photo: Kate De Pinto
Animal lovers, community leaders and friends of the late animal advocate Phran Galante gathered at the Pet Community Center’s (PCC) new facility in Nashville—The Phran Galante Center for Pet Wellness—to celebrate its dedication on April 7.
Pictured (L-R): Debbie Linn, Joe Galante and Brandon Dyce cut the ribbon. Photo: Kate De Pinto
At 5,400 square feet, The Phran Galante Center for Pet Wellness is nearly three times the size of Pet Community Center’s former clinic in East Nashville. Once fully operational, the facility will allow PCC to increase its surgery capacity by another 4,000 animals a year, preventing an estimated 20,000 unwanted puppies and kittens annually.
According to organizers, the nonprofit could not have opened its new facility without the support of many loyal donors, especially that of animal welfare pioneer Phran and her husband, Joe Galante. In her life, Phran led efforts to rewrite city ordinances, spearheaded outreach clinics in disadvantaged neighborhoods, volunteered in the city’s municipal shelter to care for animals, and lobbied to end puppy mills and animal fighting.
Joe Galante, PCC Board Chair Steve Cavezza, Founding CEO Natalie Corwin and current President & CEO Brandon Dyce led the ceremony and ribbon cutting. Phran’s sister and Executive Director of Leadership Music, Debbie Linn, was also there to show her support.
“This is the beginning of a new era for Pet Community Center here in this building. The Phran Galante Center for Pet Wellness gives us countless opportunities to deepen our support here in Nashville,” Dyce shared. “Ultimately, our mission is to strengthen the human-animal bond through accessible veterinary care and support services. So, our vision for The Phran Galante Center for Pet Wellness is growth and impact—to expand services, serve more pets, reach more families, and, best of all, save more lives.”
“Phran couldn’t abide animal cruelty in any form,” Joe shared. “She was not a person who shied away from something when she really felt passionate about it, so she was totally in on making necessary changes for all pets in our community.”
Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at [email protected].
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