07/01/2023
It is with great sadness that the family of Dr Asif Taherani announces the passing of his uncle, Dr Inayat Kathio. Dr I. H. Kathio was Pakistan's Honorary Consul General to the United States of America. He was an alumni of Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam, Pakistan, and was born on September 8th 1953 in Nasirabad District, Larkana, Pakistan. Dr Kathio had a long and distinguished career in the field of veterinary medicine.
He achieved his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) from Agriculture University Tando-Jam, Pakistan in 1978 and later completed a fellowship at Georgetown University, Washington D.C.
He also studied at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia Missouri and the School of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University.
Dr Kathio held various positions in his career, including a post at the Government of Pakistan as a veterinarian, a research officer for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, a veterinarian for the zoo in New Jersey, a veterinarian for the Associated Humane Societies in Newark, New Jersey, and owner and veterinarian of Pittston Animal Hospital.
He also owned three Animal Hospitals in the United States and three Animal Hospitals in Pakistan, providing services free of charge. In addition to his professional work, Dr Kathio was also heavily involved in charitable work.
He helped establish an animal hospital and spay neuter clinic in Cozumel, Mexico and modernized and operated a spay neuter clinic for the Municipal of Cancun.
He also taught in veterinary schools in developing countries, advised the government on livestock needs, and provided free of charge veterinary services to poor pet owners. Dr Kathio was also a frequent TV personality, hosting a show called Pet's Best Friend on Hazleton TV, Fox TV, Philadelphia TV and PAX TV.
This show was educational in nature, teaching viewers about the needs of animals and how to be responsible pet owners. Dr Kathio passed away in the United States after a heart surgery.
Dr. Inayat Kathio was a well-known Pittston veterinarian who treated countless animals for free and was a dedicated diplomat and advocate for his native country of Pakistan. He was 69.
McKayla Kathio, one of Kathio’s two daughters, said her father had been ill since this past summer but put off seeking medical attention.
“He was not fond of going to the doctor, himself,” McKayla said.
He traveled to Pakistan and was even more ill when he returned. All signs pointed to heart disease. He was hospitalized, first at Geisinger, then at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia before returning to Geisinger and eventually going into hospice care, his daughter said.
Originally from Karachi, Pakistan, Kathio first came to the United States about 42 years ago as a young veterinarian on a diplomatic mission.
There was a major shortage of protein sources for pets and livestock in Pakistan, and Kathio learned all he could about poultry farming while in the United States. Because of the knowledge he brought back with him, the protein problem was rectified and Pakistan became a major exporter of chicks.
When Kathio returned to the United States years later, he opened the Pittston Animal Hospital on O’Connell Street in 1992.
Whenever Mayor Mike Lombardo and Kathio met, Kathio would remind him of how his father, the late Dr. Joseph Lombardo, gave him some exam tables and equipment when he first came to Pittston and set up his practice — the Pittston Animal Hospital on O’Connell Street, Lombardo said.
“He was always very community-minded, especially when it came to animal situations in the community. I’ve heard countless stories, when someone couldn’t afford help for their animal, he was always willing to stand up and help,” Lombardo said.
The mayor also noted that Kathio provided veterinary care for the city police department K-9 unit as well.
“He was an amazing man. He was so good at what he did. I’ve seen some miracles happen with him and animals,” said Christina Huften, a veterinary assistant at Kathio’s practice for the past two years.
Dawn Mendrygal, who runs Happy Hearts and Tails cat rescue, said she’s known Kathio for over 10 years, and he’s helped countless abused and neglected animals.
Dr I. H. Kathio will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the veterinary community worldwide.
