Safe Sanctuary

Black Pine Animal Sanctuary Gives Refuge to Wild and Exotic Animals

Writer / Robert Noah Torres

Photography Provided

Black Pine Animal Sanctuary (BPAS) is a nonprofit, exotic-animal safe haven whose driving purpose is to provide shelter and care for the animals it houses for the remainder of their lives. The sanctuary does not engage in the commercialization of animals, and all those living under the care of Black Pine are provided with the utmost care. High standards and uncompromising care are primary factors in why Black Pine is the only accredited organization in the Midwest by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. The dedicated staff keeps the sanctuary alive and is comprised of hard-working individuals such as Letrecia “Trish” Nichols, the executive director, who takes care of the administration and human resource duties within the sanctuary. “Every day we have 90-plus animals that need attention,” Nichols says. Those animals include a variety of big cats, primates, bears, birds, reptiles and more.

The day-to-day necessities of running BPAS, and taking care of such a wide variety of animals, depends on the season. Seven months out of the year, BPAS is open to the public. From May to October, depending on the weather, the sanctuary offers staff-guided tours, during which visitors are told stories of how the animals ended up in their forever home at BPAS. The sanctuary also offers internship opportunities and hosts more than 10,000 student tours per year. On top of that, anyone can get involved with BPAS throughout the year by donating. Nichols especially welcomes enrichments, which are a variety of items that promote natural behavior and help animals stay physically and mentally healthy. “Refuge for the rest of their lives,” she says, is the primary goal of the sanctuary. Black Pine was originally privately owned, but solidified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2006. It was and continues to be run by passionate, hard-working people. BPAS is funded by like-minded donors and companies who share a mission to protect animals and promote the ethical treatment of those in captivity.

In addition, there are a variety of events held throughout the year including the fall fundraiser, “Lions, Tigers & Beers,” for which patrons help provide the necessities to get animals through the winter. Tours, fundraisers and support from generous donations all go toward helping the animals. This is reflected in how BPAS has been successfully navigating the pandemic, and has used it as an opportunity to improve health and safety protocols for the animals.

BPAS leaders also spend a lot of time fighting the exploitation and mistreatment of animals in captivity through legislation. House Bill 1248 was recently signed into Indiana law and prevents cub petting for large cats and bears. Cub petting is when a cub is taken from its home and used for paying participants to hold and pet. This is harmful to the animal, and causes stress to the mother and cub in favor of profit. This is a significant victory because using animals for profit at the expense of the animal itself defines the animal trade that Nichols and BPAS are constantly fighting against.

In this fight they have had direct involvement with the infamous “Tiger King,” Joe Exotic, who had 68 tigers confiscated from his possession last spring. The demand to take in animals is constant, and BPAS was asked to take nine of those 68 tigers but could only take four of them. Thankfully, the other 64 tigers found homes due to the network of dedicated animal advocates that BPAS is a part of. Coming together for the selfless goal of providing loving, lifetime care to animals in captivity has made BPAS into the successful sanctuary it is, while also standing as a testament to the positive difference that can come from working charitably together.

Black Pine Animal Sanctuary is located at 1426 West 300 North in Albion. You can give them a call at 260-636-7383. More information on tours, fundraisers and the sanctuary itself can be found at bpsanctuary.org.