21-05-2025
Wildlife rehabilitation center moving to Monroe
Dr. Dolittle's House Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is moving its headquarters to a property in Monroe.
Dolittle's Executive Director Alyssa Shumac said she hopes the new wildlife center is open by the end of July.
Right now, it center is based in Conneaut.
Shumac said they want to have larger enclosures in which animals to live and be rehabilitated.
'Those enclosures will be open to the public,' she said.
Dolittle's took in 11 animals out of hundreds recovered from a Hartsgrove Township rescue operation.
The operation began around the end of 2024. Hundreds of animals were rescued from a urine and fur farm operated by Mark Gutman, after his death.
The rescue involved several agencies and organizations.
At an Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners meeting in January, Humane Society of the United States Global Animal Disaster Response Director Kelly Donithan said the farm's conditions were abusive.
Dolittle's took in eight eastern striped skunks, two foxes and a coyote from the operation.
Shumac said four of the skunks will eventually go to other rehabilitation centers, with two going to a location in Texas.
'I'm not sure where the other two will go [yet],' she said.
Dolittle's is planning to keep the other seven animals for the rest of their lives, she said.
'We are still working through all the paperwork,' she said.
The 11 animals cannot be released into the wild because of how much trauma they suffered, Shumac said.
The foxes and skunks are doing better emotionally than they were when the wildlife rehabilitation center took them in, she said.
The coyote, Kita, is still very anxious, Shumac said.
'She's definitely made some progress,' she said.
Dolittle's also rehabilitates injured wild animals.
'So far, we've been lucky enough to release all of them' Shumac said.
The center has been working with 14 squirrels, seven groundhogs and 16 possums recently, she said.
Dolitte's is interested in bringing in volunteers and interns to help with the organization with its move and taking care of animals.
People can call Dolittle's at 440-661-2696 or email
Dolittle's accepts donations through its website, or its GoFundMe, linked on its website.
Dolittle's is still recruiting trustees to sit on its board, Shumac said. Applications for trustee can be sent in by email.
