Wildlife Conservation Center
Wildlife Center Temporary Location (2016-2017)
Fichtner Park at 12833 Market Ave. N in Hartville.
New Wildlife Center Under Construction
800 Genoa Ave NW (west side of Sippo Lake Park)
Massillon, OH 44646
Phone: 330.477.0448
Hours of Operation:
7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Due to confirmed rabies cases in raccoons in the Stark County area, the Wildlife Center cannot accept any raccoons for rehabilitation until further notice. We will continue to offer natural deterrents and alternative methods when raccoons den in attics, chimneys, or under porches or sheds. We recommend playing a radio on a hard rock station for 3 days and nights to create a consistent noise. The adult will be annoyed and move any young with her.
New Wildlife Conservation Center
A new facility will soon be under construction inside the west entrance of Sippo Lake Park, off of Genoa Ave. NW. The center will be dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation services and a licensed Category 2 facility.
State and federal permits allow our experienced staff to care for nearly 2,000 injured and orphaned native wild animals each year. With assistance from local veterinarians who volunteer their services, the staff releases over 55% of the animals they care for. In accordance with state regulations, all wild animals accepted for rehabilitation become the property of the State of Ohio.
The new Wildlife Conservation Center has been designed to maximize education and conservation of local wildlife. It will allow Stark Parks to provide better care for native wildlife in a more technologically-advanced clinic and exam room. Live animal exhibits will be open for public viewing and will showcase how native animals live in the wild. The new facility will also have adequate spaces for conservation education and natural history programs presented by Stark Parks’ staff with animal ambassadors.
Your support is needed to continue to provide quality wildlife education and outdoor experiences. The educational programs provided, along with the animal rehabilitation, will help safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come.
The Friends of Stark Parks created an endowment fund at the Stark Community Foundation to help support the Wildlife Conservation Center building. Anyone interested in supporting the Wildlife Conservation Center Fund may donate to this endowment or directly to Friends of Stark Parks. Your gift to this endowment will provide for the rehabilitation and conservation education center and the perpetual care of the animals by the dedicated staff and volunteers. A planned gift will create a living legacy for you and your family.
The Center also houses non-releasable live wildlife used as educational program ambassadors. These animal ambassadors are used in programs at park locations, area schools, libraries, community events, and distance learning.
Ways to Give
The Friends of Stark Parks created an endowment fund in 2008 at the Stark Community Foundation to help support the new Wildlife Conservation Center building. Donations can be made to the The Friends of Stark Parks Wildlife Building Fund or directly to Friends of Stark Parks. Your gift will provide for the development of the center and the perpetual care of wildlife patients. A planned gift will create a living legacy for you and your family.
To learn more about contributing to the endowment or to the building fund, please contact Friends of Stark Parks at 330-477-3552 or friends@starkparks.com.
Volunteer
The Wildlife Conservation Center also needs volunteers to help with animal care, office duties, and facility maintenance. We are also seeking committed volunteers who are interested in obtaining the necessary training and sub-permit to care for wildlife in their own home.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 330.409.8096 or fill out the online application form.