SCWC is housed in a historic Gaithersburg farmhouse surrounded by fields, woods, a marsh, and a stream. Several spacious flight cages, small mammal enclosures, waterfowl pens, and raccoon quarters are located on the adjacent lawns. Many recently released animals share the grounds with the permanent wild residents before moving on to establish their own niches in the surrounding fields and woods. Others are released at special sites such as nature centers and animal sanctuaries that are protected for wildlife.

Each year, concerned citizens bring in thousands of native wildlife for medical treatment, attentive care, and release. Christine Montuori, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator since 1986, oversees the treatment, housing, and feeding of the wild patients. Our volunteer staff veterinarian performs surgical procedures on site as needed. We thoroughly test the animals before they are released, to ensure that they have sufficient skills to survive in the wild. As a relatively new science, wildlife rehabilitation is a growing field. Innovations and advancements in care and treatment are constantly being made, and the staff and volunteers of SCWC keep abreast of these developments through networking with other rehabilitators, membership in state, national and international wildlife rehabilitation organizations, and attending conferences and training seminars.

Knowledge of wild animals, their needs and habits, is key to appreciating and living compatibly with them as neighbors. To this end, SCWC works with the public, individually and in groups, to point out the benefits that wild animals bring to our communities and to help them avoid problems with wild animals in their neighborhoods. Because they are so eager to learn about wild animals, work with children is especially productive and satisfying. The staff meets with numerous school, scout, and other children's groups and frequently takes extra time to talk to young visitors and to introduce them to select wild patients.

Many of the dozens of telephone calls received at SCWC each day are simple requests for information on wildlife. In addition to private citizens, many calls are from organizations: animal control agencies, police, environmental groups, citizen associations and others.

SCWC is supported entirely through the generosity of the public. It is a 501©3 charity and donations are tax deductible. Cash contributions cover SCWC's expenses and gifts of animal food, supplies, and building materials are regularly and gratefully received. Donors can be assured that their gifts are used wisely and directly benefit the animals.

Much of the work at SCWC is done by volunteers who spend hundreds of hours caring for animals, building cages, maintaining the center and meeting with visitors. Volunteering at SCWC affords one the opportunity to interact with animals and with the public and to learn about the expanding field of wildlife rehabilitation.

Most of our wild animal patients have been adversely affected by human activities. They have been hit by a car, poisoned by pesticides, entangled in fishing line or garden netting, or attacked by pets. Many are hurt or trapped in carelessly discarded trash. Sick, injured and orphaned animals require immediate professional attention. Call SCWC for specific help with an injured or orphaned wild animal. After hours, please contact your local animal shelter. Note: Please do not leave animals/birds at our door when we are not there. The most important thing for a baby or sick animal is to be kept warm and not exposed to the elements. Often, we arrive at the Center to find animals left in boxes at our door which have died. Please s ee our note about deer.

Second Chance is a membership organization. We want to use your donations in the most efficient way possible. To receive our newsletters and other mailings, please join us by filling out the Membership Form

Note: Second Chance Wildlife Center does not deal with domestic animals, for example feral/stray cats, domestic ducks or "egg hatching projects". Please call the Humane Society for domestic animals.

For a map to Second Chance, click here:

Directions: From 270N, take Exit 8, Shady Grove Road, east toward Gaithersburg. Continue for 5 miles. Shady Grove Road becomes Airpark Road. Continue on Airpark Rd. Turn right on Woodfield Road. Turn right onto Barcellona Drive (the third residential street...look for a green road sign). Second Chance Wildlife Center is at the end of Barcellona Drive down the gravel drive at the end of the street.

Questions about our Center and what we do? Contact our Director at wildchris@mindspring.com
Comments about our web site? Contact our Webmaster, Jenny at: jenw81@comcast.net