About Our Staff
Sarah Holmes Bookbinder, CWR
Executive Director, Licensed Class II RVS Wildlife Rehabilitator
Our co-founder and Executive Director, Sarah is the driving force and vision behind Gordon Wildlife. She wears many hats and works many hours, all unpaid.
Sarah graduated from Hampshire College in 1995 and is a CWR and Class II RVS licensed wildlife rehabilitator specializing in the rehabilitation of raccoons. She advocates tirelessly at state and local levels to address shortcomings in rehabilitation regulations and devotes a significant amount of time to assisting those interested in becoming licensed RVS wildlife rehabilitators. Sarah also lectures in the local community and around the state and offers instructional classes and workshops within the field across the country.
Sarah and her husband Paul are co-authors of Gordon Wildlife Raccoon Rehabilitation Protocols, a 200+ page document which has been purchased by wildlife professionals in over 40 states and 12 countries.
In addition to her work at Gordon Wildlife, Sarah serves as Vice President of the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (www.NYSWRC.org), and aids in the administration of the New York State RVS Wildlife Rehabilitation Licensing course.
Paul F. Bookbinder, DVM, DACVS
Veterinary Consultant, Licensed RVS Assistant
Paul is a boarded small animal surgeon who graduated valedictorian of the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986. More than for his resume, however, he is known for his kind, gentle and generous spirit. And his dry sense of humor.
In addition to running a full-time small animal surgical referral practice, Paul oversees all medical procedures requiring veterinary expertise at Gordon Wildlife. Whenever possible, in the after-hours, he also assists other rehabilitators around the state. Although he is relatively new to the world of wildlife, he does all he can to learn and be of help to others willing to join the field. Paul is not paid for his work at Gordon Wildlife.
Paul’s love of raccoons began early in life during family camping trips to Letchworth State park and has escalated exponentially the more he has come to know them. “Anything for the Raccoons” is now something of a mantra in the Bookbinder household. Paul and Sarah are co-founders of the Center and co-authors of GW’s raccoon rehabilitation protocols.
Rena Begunoff
Facility Manager, Licensed RVS Assistant, Animal Care Coordinator
In 2020, an orphaned raccoon named Gizmo worked her magic to bring Rena to Gordon Wildlife. An instantaneous connection was made, and Rena became an enthusiastic volunteer. Not long afterwards, she began working towards her own rehabilitation license.
Fast forward a few years, and Rena has become indispensable on site and GW’s first paid employee.
Rena is the personification of the “can-do” attitude. If she can’t do it, she will learn how. Then she will do it twice as quickly as anyone else could, with an open heart, a perfectionist’s attention to detail, and a smile on her face to boot.
Rena works with integrity and an impeccable work ethic, whether anyone is watching or not. No task is too great or too small for her to tackle, which is good, because we ask her to do it all (cue the poop piles, dumpster diving, cage cleaning, trail maintenance and dirty laundry!). She is also a masterful wrangler when the situation warrants.
Loyalty personified, Rena is an observant rehabber and caretaker of both animals and humans. She is often the unsung hero, just stepping up and doing what needs to be done in the background. We are forever grateful to Gizzy for sending her our way.
Rena is the lifeblood in Gordon Wildlife’s veins and we wouldn't be where we are without her.