Within the animal welfare community and beyond, Phran Galante was a driving force for change.
Through her tireless efforts, Galante was a pioneer in the animal welfare community, and devoted her life not only to saving animals’ lives, but to fighting for change to better Nashville at large. Recognized as a humanitarian, philanthropist and community pillar, she also devoted much of her time to supporting the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, raising money to better the lives of countless children.
With a background and passion for theatre, she was an avid supporter of the Tennessee Performing Arts center (TPAC), as well. Though she passed away on September 23, 2019, after a long battle with lung cancer, Galante’s legacy and lifelong battle giving a voice to the voiceless is ever-present in the Nashville community. Galante’s husband of thirty-five years, Joe Galante, and Natalie Corwin, Pet Community Center President and CEO, shared with us some of their memories of a woman who touched the lives of so many.
“If she saw a need, regardless of what it was, she was able to either help solve the problem herself or put you in touch with somebody that could help you move along. She had a giving heart and that was her personality—she just wanted everybody to be joyous so that’s how she lived her life,” says Joe Galante.
Lifelong Passion: When [Phran] was a kid she always had dogs. She was an Army brat, so they moved around the country and the world, and she would volunteer to muck stables wherever there were horses. I can tell you all the time we’ve been together we could be walking anywhere—and any time there’s an animal she’s going to stop. We had to go into pet stores and shelters when we were on vacation. If we were any place near a stable, she would absolutely say, “We’ve got to go there!” She said animals can’t speak for themselves, so we have to speak for them, and I think that’s always been her M.O. It could be about kids or it could be about animals; those people that can’t help themselves, that’s what we’re here to do. Especially being in Tennessee for the thirty-five years we were together, our track record as a city until she really got involved was abysmal in terms of the way we euthanized animals so carelessly. Phran led a group of dedicated women who just went after it, and they were a force and saved I don’t even know how many animals and made a difference in animal welfare throughout the city.Having been married to Phran... she was a force, no doubt about it. We would be sitting in bed, I’m about to fall asleep and the news would come on and it would be about somebody that was abusing animals or had a puppy mill and all of a sudden she’s jumping out of bed making phone calls. It was important to her, and then it became my cause, too, to a certain degree. But she led a group of women, and again I say that because there is a group of people in this town that early on banded together, some of them in the music business and some of them not, and they did a remarkable job just by the sheer willpower and passion.
Labor of Love: Phran Galante was a pioneer and visionary in the animal welfare field in Nashville. In 1996 the Metro Animal Control shelter was dubbed the worst in the nation. Conditions for the animals were terrible and corruption among the officers was rampant. Phran helped to lead the Animal Care Taskforce and pushed city leaders for change. She personally volunteered in the shelter cleaning, feeding, and caring for the animals, until finally in 2001 a new shelter was opened with new leadership. Things improved greatly, but Nashville still had a lot of work to do. The new shelter was much more humane, but in 2008 Nashville still struggled with a shelter euthanasia rate in the 80% range. Once again, Phran was right at the forefront as she stepped into the Chair role to lead the United Partnership for Animal Welfare (UPAW), and to serve on the advisory board of Metro Animal Care and Control. Over the next 5 years Phran led efforts like re-writing city ordinances, spearheading outreach clinics in disadvantaged neighborhoods, and lobbying to end puppy mills and animal fighting. Phran was not afraid to meet with anyone and use her voice for the voiceless.
Four Legged “Phriend”: When there was a large puppy mill raid, and hundreds of dogs were brought to a makeshift shelter at the fairgrounds, she volunteered to care for the dogs while the court case went to trial. She fostered one of the dogs and at one point she was told there was a chance she’d have to send the dog back. She vowed to keep and protect the dog, even if it was a felony. Eventually Phran was able to adopt the little dog and that is how she got her name, Phelony—spelled with a P-H of course! Phran and Phelony were trained for therapy work and would regularly visit nursing homes to bring joy and comfort to the residents.
Unforgettable Legacy: Phran was a steadfast supporter of Pet Community Center, which was founded in 2011. Her support for the nonprofit veterinary clinic helped them to spay and neuter and provide veterinary care to more than 80,000 dogs and cats. These preventive efforts helped tip the scales at the shelter, moving the euthanasia rate from 80 percent to under 10 percent. In 2017, Pet Community Center honored Phran with their highest honor, the Jourdan Parenteau Leadership in Animal Welfare Award. In her honor, Pet Community Center will be naming their giving society “Phrannie’s Phriends.” These are visionary donors to Pet Community Center giving $1,000 or more annually. The organization plans to honor Phran and their supporters with a celebration each June near Phran’s birthday.