Home / Environment / Couple Saves 800+ Raccoons After Personal Tragedy
Couple Saves 800+ Raccoons After Personal Tragedy
25 Oct
Summary
- Couple established a wildlife center after losing two baby raccoons.
- Over 800 injured and orphaned raccoons have been rehabilitated.
- The center provides long-term care for permanently disabled animals.
In 2017, Paul and Sarah Bookbinder experienced the heartbreaking loss of two abandoned raccoon kits, Stanley and Laurel, who died due to a lack of available rehabilitators. This profound loss spurred the couple to action, leading them to establish the Charles N. Gordon Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in 2018. Situated on 53 acres in Earlville, New York, the center has since become a sanctuary for over 800 injured and orphaned raccoons.
Springtime marks the center's busiest season, with Sarah preparing hundreds of bottles daily for the youngest orphaned kits. The rehabilitation process extends beyond medical care; raccoons are taught crucial survival skills like foraging and avoiding humans in specialized enclosures. Since its inception, the center has successfully rehabilitated more than 800 raccoons. For those animals with permanent injuries or disabilities, the center provides lifelong care, ensuring their well-being.
To enhance medical treatment, the Bookbinders acquired an X-ray machine in 2022, funded partly by a $10,000 grant. This allows for on-site diagnostics, benefiting not only their resident animals but also assisting other wildlife rehabilitators. The couple also authored "Gordon Wildlife Raccoon Rehabilitation Protocols," a comprehensive guide shared widely to improve rehabilitation practices nationwide and beyond.
The emotional toll of their work is acknowledged through a memorial garden, where engraved rocks honor every raccoon that has passed through their care, whether successfully released or lost. The Bookbinders' dedication transformed a personal tragedy into a vital resource for raccoon welfare.
