11-02-2025
Local wildlife center takes in 11 Hartsgrove animals
Feb. 11—CONNEAUT — Dr. Dolittle's House Wildlife Rehabilitation Center has taken in 11 animals from the Hartsgrove rescue operation.
The Hartsgrove operation involved several agencies and found hundreds of animals. It began after the death of Mark Gutman in December.
Gutman's property housed a urine and fur farm, which Humane Society of the U.S. Global Animal Disaster Response Director Kelly Donithan said was abusive at a Jan. 23 county commissioners meeting.
Dolittle's was one of 17 different wildlife centers across the country to take in animals.
"I was more than happy to help," Dolittle's Executive Director Alyssa Shumac said.
Dolittle's took in eight Eastern Striped Skunks, two foxes and a coyote, Shumac said.
"As of right now it is a temporary hold, but I do intend, if permitted to, to keep them for the remainder of their life," she said.
The animals have physical trauma from Hartsgrove, Shumac said.
"They have been to the vet multiple times now, and are under treatment for ringworm, roundworm and several other parasites," she said. "Emotionally, they have a long road ahead of them."
The animals' behaviors were shaped by being at the farm in Hartsgrove, Shumac said.
"Even with the animals in larger enclosures, they are still displaying the same frantic pacing behavior, just walking back and forth along one wall of the cage really quickly," she said.
Shumac said the animals are shaken from their experiences in Hartsgrove.
"When I first brought the skunks into my facility, they were freaking out pretty bad," she said. "I gave them a hidebox to make them feel safe and secure, and they did not leave that hidebox for two days, not even to eat."
Shumac said she realized the skunks did not think they could leave the box.
"As soon as I picked up the hidebox, they realized that they were free, and started wandering around, and ran over to eat," she said. "They didn't realize that wasn't their cage."
Shumac said they are trying make the Coyote, named Kida, more comfortable with a larger space.
"We're trying to get them to a point, where they're less fearful, so they can relax," she said.
The animals can never be released back into the wild, Shumac said.
"If these animals were released, they probably would not go very far," she said. "They probably would find the closest place they found safe and stay there until they died."
Shumac said the Hartsgrove animals have no knowledge of how to hunt, find shelter, dig burrows or take care of themselves.
"They would basically just die," she said.
Dolittle's has been naming the animals at the center.
"They're never going to be released, and they will be in human care the rest of their life," she said. "A name is better than a number."
The wildlife center is looking to move to a larger property in Monroe, Shumac said.
"It is seven acres. So, it's six and a half acres more than we currently have," she said. "We will have space to build all eleven animals adequate [and] permanent enclosures to spend the rest of their lives happy."
People can donate to Dolittle's through a GoFundMe linked on The organization also has a donation box on its website.
Much of the the wildlife center's operations are done by Shumac and Kelly Johnson, Dolittle's fundraising coordinator and consultant.
The organization is looking for people to serve on a board of trustees.
Trustee applications should be emailed to Shumac at by March 8.
Shumac said they are also looking for volunteers and interns to help with the center.
Johnson said they need volunteers to help tear down and rebuild enclosures in Monroe.
"We are especially needing carpenters and welders to help build with cages," she said.
Shumac said they are looking for a veterinarian closer who could volunteer their time.
"The veterinarian we currently work with it out in Barbarton, near Akron" she said. "I usually make a trip there at least once a week to have animals seen."
Shumac said they are interested in finding people who can help with accounting, social media, secretarial work, fundraising, shopping and marketing.
Interested volunteers or interns can also email Shumac or call her at 440-661-2696.
