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About Us

WATCH THIS HEARTWARMING BEHIND THE SCENES OVERVIEW
Founded in 1995, Second Chance Wildlife Center is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit facility providing skilled and compassionate emergency treatment and long-term rehabilitative care to injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife with the goal of releasing healthy animals back to their intended roles in nature. We also work to educate the public on how to safely coexist with their wildlife neighbors. Each year, residents, animal services officers, and others bring nearly 3,000 wild animals in need to our door knowing that we care deeply about each one and that we are licensed to operate under permits issued by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Under the rules of our permits, we are not open for tours and our patients are not on public display. We have received a proclamation from Montgomery County and the Governor of Maryland for our service.

The Community Admires Second Chance Wildlife Center

“Thanks for the good work you do. Those who help the helpless are the unsung heroes of our world.”
- S.H
“We will be counting Second Chance Wildlife Center Staff and Volun-teers when we count our Christmas Bless-ings! Thank you for all you do to help the wee woods folk.”
- DD
“Thank you for helping injured wild animals. I have appreciated being able to call you when needed.”
- J.B.
“We love what you do for wildlife. Thank you for your hard work!”
- L.Z.
“Thanx for all the hard work protecting animals and birds! We now know how really hard it is.”
- Anonymous

Second Chance Wildlife Center Leadership

Staff Leadership:

Maureen Smith, President Maureen Smith joined Second Chance in October of 2018 after senior leadership roles at the Jane Goodall Institute and the National Wildlife Federation. Prior to dedicating her career to animal-centric non-profits, she was a television industry executive who - while leading Discovery Communication’s Animal Planet TV channel - co-created The Puppy Bowl and led the channel to new heights with programs such as Meerkat Manor and critically acclaimed nature documentaries.

Hannah Wilson, Clinic Director Hannah Wilson, a certified Master Wildlife Rehabilitator, was promoted to Clinic Director of Second Chance Wildlife Center in early 2022 following years of experience as a rehabber and Clinic Manager at Second Chance and, previously, as a wildlife rehabber at the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center in Ohio. She is responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day animal care operations of the clinic and serves as supervisor to all clinic staff, interns, and volunteers. Prior to working in wildlife rehabilitation, Hannah worked as a dog training specialist, interned at a horticultural research facility, and was a Sea Otter Husbandry and Training intern at the Georgia Aquarium. Congratulations, Hannah. We know that our patients are in excellent hands!

Staff Leadership:

Maureen Smith, President Maureen Smith joined Second Chance in October of 2018 after senior leadership roles at the Jane Goodall Institute and the National Wildlife Federation. Prior to dedicating her career to animal-centric non-profits, she was a television industry executive who - while leading Discovery Communication’s Animal Planet TV channel - co-created The Puppy Bowl and led the channel to new heights with programs such as Meerkat Manor and critically acclaimed nature documentaries.

Hannah Wilson, Clinic Director Hannah Wilson, a certified Master Wildlife Rehabilitator, was promoted to Clinic Director of Second Chance Wildlife Center in early 2022 following years of experience as a rehabber and Clinic Manager at Second Chance and, previously, as a wildlife rehabber at the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center in Ohio. She is responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day animal care operations of the clinic and serves as supervisor to all clinic staff, interns, and volunteers. Prior to working in wildlife rehabilitation, Hannah worked as a dog training specialist, interned at a horticultural research facility, and was a Sea Otter Husbandry and Training intern at the Georgia Aquarium. Congratulations, Hannah. We know that our patients are in excellent hands!

Board of Directors:

Kenneth Button – Chairman of the Board

Kenneth R. Button, AM, MBA, Ph.D. is Chairman of the Board of Directors of SCWC. He has retired from a career in international trade and finance. His current dedication to the compassionate care of wildlife in need is an extension of his childhood fascination with their diversity and splendor. His goal as a Board Director is to assist SCWC in making optimal use of its new facility in Clarksburg, MD as it provides excellent medical and rehabilitative care to an expanding array of wildlife species. He also hopes to assist SCWC in using its naturalist expertise to promote public appreciation of the value of wildlife to the Maryland community and how it can best be preserved and enhanced to the benefit of all.

Janice Hazlehurst, Vice-Chair

Janice Hazlehurst retired from a career in telecommunications product and project management. She has a long-standing relationship with the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah and volunteers at a horse rescue near Clarksburg, MD. Janice learned of Second Chance Wildlife Center when seeking advice regarding a fawn in her garage (the mom came back for it, just like the Second Chance wildlife expert said she would). As a member of the Second Chance Wildlife Center Board, Janice is happy to be part of a team that cares about and promotes the welfare of wild creatures.

Carol Barnard, Treasurer

Carol is a CPA who specializes in non-profit audit and accounting and volunteers her time to SCWC as Treasurer. She first became interested in SCWC over 15 years ago and joined the board in 2014. She is happy to help, especially when it comes to baby squirrel feedings! She and her wife live in Montgomery Village and have 1 dog and 2 cats in a home that currently has a hawk’s nest in the back yard. Getting to see the wildlife in the area out the window or from the deck provides great joy.

Jane Acri, Secretary

Jane B. Acri Ph.D is a scientist working on the development of new medications for the treatment of substance use disorders and overdose at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of NIH. She has published a number of scientific papers and book chapters on this and related topics and has taught psychopharmacology at UMBC. She supports many animal rescue organizations and lives with two naughty but loveable beagles, Clooney and Klinger, who love to go hiking with her in local parks.

Mariana Acevedo, Director

Harriett Crosby, Director

Harriett founded the Institute for Soviet American Relations (ISAR) in 1982, which helped build civil society in the Soviet Union by supporting grassroots environmental groups for 20 years until Putin came to power. She attended Pitzer College and received their distinguished alumni award. She has a Master’s degree in Psychology from Temple University and has been trained as a Jungian psychoanalyst at the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich. She worked as a mountaineering instructor for Colorado Outward Bound School and taught at Putney School in Vermont. She worked in the White House Office of Environmental Policy during the Clinton Administration. Harriett is a wildlife rehabilitator, and she stewards Fox Haven Organic Farm & Ecological Learning Center.

Susan McCurdy, Director

Susan McCurdy, CMCA, PCAM is on the Board of Directors for SCWC, and CEO of Community Association Services, Inc, a property management company operating in MD, VA and DE. A long-time animal rescue volunteer, she is a lover of all animals and supporter of many domestic and international rescue organizations. An expert in management and operation of real estate and small businesses, Susan’s top goal is to use her contacts and experience to help SCWC complete construction of a state-of-the-art medical facility in Clarksburg, MD for the care of the many wild animals in need.

Barry Meil, Director

Barry Meil is an entrepreneur who started and ran several businesses in the DCVAMD area during his career. In addition, he has served on the board of directors of several non-profit organizations over the past 20 years. Barry has been married to his wife Wendy for 45 years. They have one son, three grandsons and a rambunctious husky. They first discovered Second Chance when they found a baby squirrel in their yard.

Charles “Chuck” Szollosy, Director

After leaving the US Army in 1989, Chuck started his career as an engineer designing mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems for commercial, institutional, and residential buildings of various sizes and complexity, which lead into starting his own company since 2006. In addition to his collection of critters at home (dogs, cats and turtles), he enjoys spending time outdoors, including weekend walks with his dogs along the C&O Canal. Seeing the diversity of flora and fauna, he has come to respect the need and requirement in keeping our natural world protected. As such, he is also a member/supporter of the Izaak Walton League. He supports Second Chance Wildlife Center (SCWC) as a worthy cause, and he sees his construction experience as an opportunity to make a positive impact in SCWC’s future.

Lucas Webster, Esq., Director

Lucas is an attorney specializing in construction law. Litigating in the courtroom is where Lucas feels at home, but he gets the most satisfaction from assisting clients with their business and resolving disputes well before litigation is necessary. Lucas builds trust and relationships with his clients by providing advice and guidance through difficult times. Lucas’ father was Richard Farinato, and his step-mother was Sue Lunson Farinato. Richard’s career involved animals, and his professional accomplishments included working for many years in Zoos and ultimately serving as the Director of Captive Wildlife for the Humane Society of the US in Gaithersburg, a position he held for well over a decade before retiring. Sue always was involved in animal welfare and rights. Her activities included volunteering with Second Chance Wildlife Center in a number of capacities. When Richard and Sue passed, Lucas wanted to contribute something to the causes that they held as important and meaningful in their life, and he is pleased to be able to do so by supporting the organization that Sue devoted a lot of time to and that Richard always held in high esteem. In 2024, Lucas was named a 2024 LEADER IN LAW by The Daily Record and the Maryland State Bar Association honor outstanding legal professionals across Maryland who are serving businesses, clients, and individuals and making communities stronger.

Board of Directors:

Kenneth Button – Chairman of the Board Kenneth R. Button, AM, MBA, Ph.D. is Chairman of the Board of Directors of SCWC. He has retired from a career in international trade and finance. His current dedication to the compassionate care of wildlife in need is an extension of his childhood fascination with their diversity and splendor. His goal as a Board Director is to assist SCWC in making optimal use of its new facility in Clarksburg, MD as it provides excellent medical and rehabilitative care to an expanding array of wildlife species. He also hopes to assist SCWC in using its naturalist expertise to promote public appreciation of the value of wildlife to the Maryland community and how it can best be preserved and enhanced to the benefit of all.

Janice Hazlehurst, Vice-Chair Janice Hazlehurst retired from a career in telecommunications product and project management. She has a long-standing relationship with the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah and volunteers at a horse rescue near Clarksburg, MD. Janice learned of Second Chance Wildlife Center when seeking advice regarding a fawn in her garage (the mom came back for it, just like the Second Chance wildlife expert said she would). As a member of the Second Chance Wildlife Center Board, Janice is happy to be part of a team that cares about and promotes the welfare of wild creatures.

Carol Barnard, Treasurer Carol is a CPA who specializes in non-profit audit and accounting and volunteers her time to SCWC as Treasurer. She first became interested in SCWC over 15 years ago and joined the board in 2014. She is happy to help, especially when it comes to baby squirrel feedings! She and her wife live in Montgomery Village and have 1 dog and 2 cats in a home that currently has a hawk’s nest in the back yard. Getting to see the wildlife in the area out the window or from the deck provides great joy.

Jane Acri, Secretary Jane B. Acri Ph.D is a scientist working on the development of new medications for the treatment of substance use disorders and overdose at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of NIH. She has published a number of scientific papers and book chapters on this and related topics and has taught psychopharmacology at UMBC. She supports many animal rescue organizations and lives with two naughty but loveable beagles, Clooney and Klinger, who love to go hiking with her in local parks.

Mariana Acevedo, Director

Harriett Crosby, Director Harriett founded the Institute for Soviet American Relations (ISAR) in 1982, which helped build civil society in the Soviet Union by supporting grassroots environmental groups for 20 years until Putin came to power. She attended Pitzer College and received their distinguished alumni award. She has a Master’s degree in Psychology from Temple University and has been trained as a Jungian psychoanalyst at the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich. She worked as a mountaineering instructor for Colorado Outward Bound School and taught at Putney School in Vermont. She worked in the White House Office of Environmental Policy during the Clinton Administration. Harriett is a wildlife rehabilitator, and she stewards Fox Haven Organic Farm & Ecological Learning Center.

Susan McCurdy, Director Susan McCurdy, CMCA, PCAM is on the Board of Directors for SCWC, and CEO of Community Association Services, Inc, a property management company operating in MD, VA and DE. A long-time animal rescue volunteer, she is a lover of all animals and supporter of many domestic and international rescue organizations. An expert in management and operation of real estate and small businesses, Susan's top goal is to use her contacts and experience to help SCWC complete construction of a state-of-the-art medical facility in Clarksburg, MD for the care of the many wild animals in need.

Barry Meil, Director Barry Meil is an entrepreneur who started and ran several businesses in the DCVAMD area during his career. In addition, he has served on the board of directors of several non-profit organizations over the past 20 years. Barry has been married to his wife Wendy for 45 years. They have one son, three grandsons and a rambunctious husky. They first discovered Second Chance when they found a baby squirrel in their yard.

Charles “Chuck” Szollosy, Director After leaving the US Army in 1989, Chuck started his career as an engineer designing mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems for commercial, institutional, and residential buildings of various sizes and complexity, which lead into starting his own company since 2006. In addition to his collection of critters at home (dogs, cats and turtles), he enjoys spending time outdoors, including weekend walks with his dogs along the C&O Canal. Seeing the diversity of flora and fauna, he has come to respect the need and requirement in keeping our natural world protected. As such, he is also a member/supporter of the Izaak Walton League. He supports Second Chance Wildlife Center (SCWC) as a worthy cause, and he sees his construction experience as an opportunity to make a positive impact in SCWC’s future.

Lucas Webster, Esq., Director Lucas is an attorney specializing in construction law. Litigating in the courtroom is where Lucas feels at home, but he gets the most satisfaction from assisting clients with their business and resolving disputes well before litigation is necessary. Lucas builds trust and relationships with his clients by providing advice and guidance through difficult times. Lucas’ father was Richard Farinato, and his step-mother was Sue Lunson Farinato. Richard’s career involved animals, and his professional accomplishments included working for many years in Zoos and ultimately serving as the Director of Captive Wildlife for the Humane Society of the US in Gaithersburg, a position he held for well over a decade before retiring. Sue always was involved in animal welfare and rights. Her activities included volunteering with Second Chance Wildlife Center in a number of capacities. When Richard and Sue passed, Lucas wanted to contribute something to the causes that they held as important and meaningful in their life, and he is pleased to be able to do so by supporting the organization that Sue devoted a lot of time to and that Richard always held in high esteem. In 2024, Lucas was named a 2024 LEADER IN LAW by The Daily Record and the Maryland State Bar Association honor outstanding legal professionals across Maryland who are serving businesses, clients, and individuals and making communities stronger.

Maureen Smith, President
Hannah Wilson, Clinic Director

Annual Report

To see the most recent Second Chance Wildlife Center Annual Report, please click HERE. As always, our 990 Tax Filings are available for review of request to info@scwc.org.