ASHLAND — Desirea Goon has had a love for wildlife since she was a child, and she credits that love to her father, who instilled in her an appreciation for them.
Goon’s interest in wildlife led her into the veterinary field, where she has worked for over 20 years, qualifying as a veterinary technician in 2015.
Last year, Goon began a new venture in his chosen field: he obtained a licence to run a wildlife rehabilitation centre.
Goon is Ashland County’s only wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, according to office records.
She runs a sanctuary on her land called White Tail Crossing Wildlife Refuge, and while she continues to work as a veterinary technician, Goon rehabilitates the animals that come to her in her spare time.
She holds a Category 1 permit from ODNR that allows her to rehabilitate orphaned squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks and woodchucks.
Goon said she took the ODNR’s introductory wildlife course, but needed the sponsorship of a veterinarian to work with, which in her case was Ashland Veterinary Clinic, where she works as a veterinary technician.
But Goon is working toward a Category 2 permit, which requires three years of rehabilitation experience, according to the ODNR website.
The permit allows Goon to rehabilitate “rabies vectors, deer, coyotes, bobcats, mute swans, and state or federal threatened or endangered species unless approved by the Director of Wildlife.”
Make an impact
Goon said he has helped rehabilitate and release 112 animals back into the wild so far this year, an increase on last year.
Spring has been her busiest season, but she is currently rehabilitating flying squirrels and baby possums.
“When you see an animal in distress, you want to help it,” Goon said. “Sometimes you just can’t help it and you feel bad for it, but it’s important to release it back into the wild and let it live.”
Goon said animals come to her in different situations, and the time it takes to rehabilitate an animal and prepare it for release back into the wild varies depending on the condition the animal was in when it came to her.
So far, Goon has been called out most frequently to help rehabilitate orphaned or injured wildlife after being attacked by pets. He also gets calls about animals that have been hit by cars. For example, Goon said he rehabilitated a baby skunk whose mother had been hit by a car this spring.
Family issues
Goon doesn’t make a profit from the shelter, instead relying on donations for both money and essential supplies to run the shelter.
Whatever donations can’t cover will be provided by Hickory Hollow Concrete, a company owned and operated by Goon’s husband, Mike.
Goon also has several volunteers who help him with tasks such as feeding the animals, which can take a long time depending on the number of animals he takes in.
Her sister, Jessica Thompson, also regularly helps out at the shelter.
Thompson, who works at Graham Auto Mall, said she and her 13-year-old daughter enjoy helping Goon with his activities, and sometimes she brings her daughter’s friends along to learn about wildlife.
“I’m really proud of Goon,” Thompson said. “Someone had to do it and I’m just blessed to be able to watch her do this and help her out.”
Goon said he hopes to one day turn the sanctuary into a wildlife center or Airbnb, giving people the opportunity to learn more about the animals he rehabilitates.
“It’s really one of a kind,” Goon said. “We feel it’s important that people can enjoy the wildlife.”
Anyone who sees an animal that needs Goon’s help can contact him on Facebook or by phone at 330-317-0299, and White Tail Crossing’s Facebook page has a link to items the shelter needs for anyone interested in donating.
This independent, on-the-ground reporting from our Report for America Corps members is made possible by the generous support of: Ashland County Community Foundation.
