The team at Black Pine Animal Sanctuary isn’t mincing words: they desperately need the community’s help. The nonprofit, which cares for dozens of rescued exotic animals, just got slammed with a hefty repair bill after its crucial walk-in cooler gave out during a scorching summer spell.

Old Cooler Finally Gives Up

In a Facebook post dripping with a bit of gallows humor, Black Pine staff said their old cooler’s compressor “decided to leave us and move to a cooler climate.” Funny line — but the reality stings.

The sanctuary depends on that cooler to keep more than 700 pounds of veggies and 500 pounds of fresh meat safe for its big cats, bears, primates, and other residents.

One sentence: Without it, food goes to waste and so does money they don’t have.

Why This Hits So Hard

Executive Director Lori Gagen said even a single day without cold storage costs thousands. Spoiled meat and produce can’t be served, leaving animals hungry and budgets busted.

It’s not like you can just run to the grocery store for a lion’s dinner, either.

A volunteer put it simply: “If the food spoils, it’s not just dollars down the drain — it’s lives disrupted.”

$7,500 They Didn’t Have

Replacing the compressor wasn’t optional. Black Pine had to act fast to protect its supply chain, but the emergency repair came at a steep price — $7,500, to be exact.

One sentence: For a small nonprofit, that’s a budget hit you feel for months.

Now they’re asking the public to pitch in through tax-deductible donations to help close the gap.

How You Can Actually Help

The sanctuary says every bit counts. They’re hoping animal lovers who’ve visited the big cats, wolves, or porcupines over the years will rally behind them.

A few ideas they’ve shared for those wanting to chip in:

• Make a one-time donation online (tax-deductible!)

• Share their story on social media to reach more folks

• Organize a mini fundraiser with friends, local businesses, or schools

One local donor wrote: “I can’t adopt a tiger but I can cover its dinner for a day. Small price to pay to keep these amazing animals fed.”

Brutal Temperatures, Bigger Problems

This summer’s relentless heat is just one more challenge for sanctuaries like Black Pine. Animals need consistent, fresh food and safe habitats — and keeping all that running smoothly isn’t cheap.

The team says this cooler repair is a reminder of how fragile these systems are.

One sentence: When a single piece of equipment fails, the ripple effects can get wild — literally.

The Sanctuary’s Bigger Mission

Founded nearly 30 years ago, Black Pine provides lifelong care for exotic animals that can’t be returned to the wild or adopted out — think abandoned tigers, illegally owned monkeys, or roadside zoo rescues.

They rely heavily on donations and community support. Every dollar keeps fresh meals coming and habitats safe.

Executive Director Gagen says the outpouring of support so far has been heartening. But they’re not there yet.

One line: As they put it — every salad, steak, and carrot counts.