About Us
Founded in 2015 by Bethany Brown, Saco River Wildlife Center has become a vital resource for wildlife rehabilitation in Maine. While based in Limington, our reach extends far beyond, assisting communities and wildlife statewide. In 2024, SRWC saw a record-breaking year, admitting 1243 animals a 72 percent increase over the previous year. This growth reflects both the increasing demand for wildlife rehabilitation and our unwavering commitment to meeting that need. As we expand, we remain dedicated to education, outreach, and providing compassionate care to Maine’s native wildlife.
At Saco River Wildlife Center, we are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of Maine’s injured and orphaned wildlife. Located at 57 Christian Hill Rd.in Limington, our facility provides rehabilitative care for species like raccoons, squirrels, opossums, and other small mammals. With a commitment to compassionate wildlife rehabilitation, we strive to give every animal a second chance at life in the wild.
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Beyond rehabilitation, we are passionate about education and community outreach. Through educational events, partnerships, and our internship program, we work to inspire a deeper understanding of Maine’s wildlife, foster a hands-on learning experience for future professionals, and educate on the importance of coexistence.
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RESCUE. REHABILITATE. RELEASE. EDUCATE.
Our Mission: ​Saco River Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide rehabilitative care to Maine’s ill, injured, or orphaned wildlife and to promote compassion and awareness through educational resources and programs.
Our Core Values
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Compassion: Provide high-quality, and compassionate care to Maine’s vulnerable wildlife while acting an ethical manner.
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Respect: Treat our patients with respect by reducing interactions in order to keep our patients wild and to reduce unnecessary stimuli and stress
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Education: Foster a safe safe learning environment for our interns and volunteers and encourage them to further their skills and knowledge
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Professionalism: to provide best practice treatment to all patients in our care with the ultimate goal of release.
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Transparency: Remain transparent and act as a resource to communities and other rehabilitation centers and foster collaborative relationships.
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Accessibility: We will use our social media platforms to provide education, resources, and information about common misconceptions.
Board of Directors
The Saco River Wildlife Center Board of Directors is a dedicated group of volunteers passionate about our mission. Board meetings are held monthly, and special meetings may be convened as needed.
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Bethany Brown – Founder, Executive Director
Bethany Brown has an Associate Degree in Accounting and Business Management from Andover College along with an Associate Degree in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography from Southern Maine Community College. She worked in business finance for 12 years before moving into laboratory work, gaining over ten years of experience in microbiology, analytics, and fisheries. Bethany found her passion for wildlife rehabilitation over 14 years ago as a volunteer and was encouraged by her mentor to start her own facility in 2015 to fill the void for native species not accepted by many other rehabilitation centers.
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Kevin Peterson – Vice President
Its's a Secret.
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Dalenda Estes – Treasurer
Dalenda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and works in the Finance Department at Maine Health. She has volunteered with SRWC since September 2018, providing animal care and serving as a board member. Her interests include hiking, outdoor activities, travel, and photography.
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Renée Martel – Secretary
Renée earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Worcester State University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Bryant University. She has worked in accounting and finance for over 30 years and is currently with First Student, Inc., where she has held management positions since 2002. She lives in North Waterboro, Maine, with her husband and their adopted dog, enjoys watching wildlife on their property, reading, gardening, and boating. She has volunteered at SRWC since 2021 and joined the board in 2023. Renée is a licensed sub-permittee of Saco River Wildlife Center.
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Dr. Kim Harker-Sullivan, DVM
Dr. Harker-Sullivan is a small animal veterinarian at Norway Veterinary Hospital with 29 years of experience. She has lived and worked in Maine for 20 years, volunteering at SRWC and serving on the board since 2020. She provides veterinary care to all wildlife at the center and also helps with feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and releases.
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Dr. Peter Doig, PhD
Peter has over 30 years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, with expertise in infectious diseases, oncology, neuroscience, and protein biochemistry. He has authored over 70 scientific publications and served on numerous committees. Retired since 2019, he now runs a small hobby farm in Buxton, Maine, with his wife. He has volunteered with SRWC since 2021 and joined the board in 2023. Peter is a licensed sub-permittee of Saco River Wildlife Center.
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Lisa Glidden
Lisa is the co-owner of a local construction company and has volunteered at SRWC since its inception. She helps transport and care for injured animals and has served on the board for five years. She is also the treasurer of a local gun club.
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Suzanne Jacobs
Suzanne holds degrees in Psychology and Education, including an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology. She retired after 25 years in public education and moved to Maine in 2017. She began volunteering at SRWC in June 2020, is a licensed sub-permittee, and served as board treasurer from February 2021 to February 2022.
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Dr. Cass Martel, DVM
Cass attended St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine and became a veterinarian in 2021. She works at Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care and has served on the SRWC board since 2021.