Meet The Founder
Michelle has always had a passion for animals dating back to childhood. She was 'that kid' who brought home every orphaned animal she could trying to convince her parents to allow her to keep them. As an adult, the family vet knew that if there was an animal in need, Michelle was bringing it in. Her first BIG 'rescue' was a homeless, pregnant cat that was suffering from extreme neurological issues and was not able to stand, walk or eat on her own.
The goal was to keep momma cat safe and comfortable in order to give those babies in her belly a chance at life. Several healthy kittens resulted out of those efforts and were adopted out to loving homes. The 'Rescue Bug' had bit! Michelle has fostered many animals throughout the years, most notably representing Buckeye Bulldog Rescue. Today, she is part of a large network of rescue professionals that support one another's goals in saving animal lives.
In addition, Michelle is constantly expanding her knowledge through ODNR Division of Wildlife, completing classes focused on foxes in the wild to better assist those born in captivity. She is an officer on the Board of Directors for two other non profit organizations, volunteers her time to the Cleveland Society for Human Resource Management, and is an Enterprise Account Executive with Paylocity. Michelle is a single mother of 3 children and runs her own small homestead to complement the dietary requirements of the foxes. Her household is lively and energetic, constantly moving with activity surrounding the kids and animals.
Meet The Board Members
Vice President
Joanne Marston
Joanne started her interest in NPO groups when she started with Aramark at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, formally know as Gund Arena, then Quicken Loans Arena. NPO groups are a huge part of the staffing in large venues to help reach their funding needs. She has also been heavily involved in large events in the downtown area, the RNC, NBA All Star Games, NCAA Basketball & Wrestling, Rock Hall Induction Ceremony and the NFL Draft along with countless concerts.
Her love of foxes came by a different route than most, she is definitely a cat person. She had been scrolling through Facebook and came across a picture of Dutton that was posted asking for sponsors. The back story is her 8 year old cat had recently passed away suddenly and was found when she got home from work, curled up in his bed with his little fox stuffy named Dut-Dut. As they say – it was meant to be and the rest is history.
Medical Liaison Coordinator
Amy Prokup
Amy is an Exotics Veterinary Technician with Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital Norton, formerly known as the Barberton Veterinary Clinic. She graduated from Cuyahoga Community College in 2019 and has been a vet tech serving Dr. Riggs' group for 2.5 years. As a Medical Liaison Coordinator, Amy will be responsible for evaluating the medical needs of each of the foxes in Fox Tale Sanctuary’s care and acquiring veterinary services to fulfill those needs, upon intake and ongoing.
Amy is native to the Medina area and has always had a passion for animals and wildlife. She looks forward to helping Fox Tale Sanctuary grow and thrive.
Officer
Carly Keserich
Carly is the founder of The Homestead Animal Sanctuary in Brecksville, Ohio. While her education and job experience is in Fashion Design & Product Development, Carly has spent the last 9 years working with animal behavior and building her own nonprofit animal rescue with a focus on farm animals. Her free time is spent with her husband and their personal pets or travelling.
Treasurer
Jen Csatlos
Jen’s non-profit background started in Florida where she was treasurer for the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy Family Support Group. She also held multiple positions including treasurer, volunteer and planner for Celebrity Charitable Events for NE Florida Boys and Girls Club. She currently works for Sandridge Food Corporation in Accounts Receivable, Invoicing and Collections.
Jen’s passion for exotic animal rescue started when her boss rescued a mountain lion named Mara. She was hooked and fostered her first tiger cub. Shortly after that Jen and her family became part of a Great Dane rescue also in Florida. They rescued 5 Great Danes while finding the perfect homes for many others.
After settling back into the Wadsworth area, Jen realized she wanted to find a local shelter that had the same passion and values for animals that were in her heart. Last year, she came across the county wide search for Kit and beginning of Fox Tale Sanctuary and she knew this would be the perfect place for her passion for animals and to help the Sanctuary grow.
Secretary
Debbie Meyers Bittinger
Debbie is a remedial reading and math teacher. She works with organized chaos, quick to follow the tide if needed in the classroom and there is never a dull day in the teaching profession.
Debbie was a volunteer at the local SPCA as well as a volunteer animal transporter. She has 2 rescue animals that are showered with love. A dog named Hinkley who has anxiety from his prior life of abuse and a senior cat named Cash who was saved from death row in New York.