Having lived in Montgomery county for most of my life, I have encountered multiple animals that have been injured. Each time I have taken them to Second Chance Wildlife Center, and had wonderful experiences. Every time they have either taken the animal themselves and helped heal them or have given me info on where to take the animal, so the other location can provide proper care. The staff has been kind, and the facility seems to be well managed and clean. I have heard recently that they are building a new facility and it will be a great help in continuing to provide amazing care and possibly even allow them to save more animals.
Review from Guidestar
SCWC used to be a wonderful resource for injured and orphaned wildlife. When the Center Director took another job and the current President (this is what she calls herself) took over the Center has hit a steady decline. Many complain the animal they brought in had been hastedly euthanized when they phoned to find out its status. My recent experience is the opposite. They claimed they couldn't spare any euthanasia drugs to humanely euthanize the fawn that had been hit by a car. We were sent away with our terminally injured fawn! Read the recent Google reviews. I
My niece recently graduated from nursing school, and I thought: I know she's learned such a lot in these years, but, really, all her patients are the same species! They all have about the same body temperature, pretty much the same blood and generally similar diets. BUT THE NURSES AT SECOND CHANCE? Dozens of species with dozens of temperatures and diet requirements, and specific housing needs that can aid in their recoveries. Reptilian patients don't have warm blood at all, and need special quarters. Calculating dosages for a patient who weighs 22 grams? Easily done at Second Chance. And feathers! Feathers are not a decoration -- they are an organ. Their state of repair is a matter life or death. Birds' blood carries oxygen differently than mammals' does. And though birds' eyesight is superior to humans', they cannot see glass. Second Chance is a crucial facility in helping to counter the enormous loss of wild life to entanglement with human stuff and activity. Their dedicated staff and volunteers deserve all the moral and monetary support that can be poured upon them.
I am so proud to have a facility like Second Chance Wildlife Center in our community. It is open every day of the year, even through blizzards and hurricanes, and offers, without charge, excellent care for orphaned or injured wildlife. I have been a volunteer for about ten years, because when I was young, there was no such rehab facility, and injured animals were often either euthanized by the family vet or, worse, orphaned animals were inexpertly treated by amateurs, and ended up malnourished and/or human imprinted. The dedicated and professional staff at SCWC treat all the animals humanely and help to educate the compassionate people who bring in animal patients.
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I first heard of Second Chance from the Montgomery County Volunteers Office. I had just retired after working in telecommunications for 31 years. I wanted to do something different, and volunteering at SCWC certainly is! When I was growing up, in Washington, DC, my friends and I often found injured squirrels, and occasionally found baby birds. We once tried to keep a baby robin alive on our own. I’m not sure what we used as bird formula. I think it was some concoction of raw hamburger and diluted oatmeal, which we fed to him from a medicine dropper. He lived for several days, but he must have been in misery. We took the squirrel to my dog’s vet, loving and gentle, but unprepared to treat a wild animal. He, kindly, euthanized the squirrel, and consoled us children. In the 1960s, we didn’t know of any wildlife rehabilitators. I was happy to commit a few hours each week to SCWC, partly as penance for my youthful failures. I thought there would be tedium, as well as joys. Boy, was I wrong! I actually enjoy cleaning cages and kennels, even those of such unremarkable critters as starlings or pigeons. And there are opportunities to see the animals that most of us diurnal species miss, like flying squirrels, night herons and owls. We also see the common raptors, like Red Tailed hawks, cooper’s hawks, and kestrels, up close and personal. And we have occasional treats, like coots, soras, or indigo buntings. I find it therapeutic to help make even the most mundane opossums, groundhogs, and squirrels more comfortable during their short stays at the center. The greatest pleasure in volunteering at SCWC is working with the highly skilled, experienced, and dedicated staff. They, of course, are committed to treating the animals, and they save at least 60%, but they also show amazing compassion toward the people who bring the animals in, and patience with the volunteers and the public. If there had been a Second Chance Wildlife Center in my neighborhood fifty years ago, I’d probably still be a volunteer here, but I’d also, I hope, have memories of animals saved from painful death.
I brought two birds and was dismayed at how much they were handled by Polly. I know they needed to be examined, but she keeps holding them even though they are obviously distressed, and one bird she was gesticulating with it in her hand! I may not be an expert, but I think stressed wildlife should be handled as little as possible. I think she was showing off. "Big, important bird expert". Who is Polly and what training has she had?
I first saw SCWC on FaceBook talking about what they faced moment by moment during our 2 record breaking blizzards and I saw such dedication and love on minimal resources. I had to do something, I have very little but I sent what I had and I continue to do so each month after my bills are paid. I believe in everything they do and everything they stand for. Any monies and supplies they can get donated through awards and word of mouth is beyond priceless. Keep the faith SCWC!!
I first found Second Chance when I found a newborn squirrel. Immediately I fell in love with the place, the people and their purpose. This is a unique place -- the only one of its kind in the MD/DC region. It takes in around 5000 animals (mammals and birds) a year. They never turn down a citizen bringing in wildlife of any kind. They give their full selves, the staff works *a minimum* of 10 hours a day in spring and summer and often bring their work home with them. And usually it is a thankless job, as when the animals feel better, they usually just start to hate their caregivers. Luckily, many of the citizens are appreciative. Over the years I've volunteered, but I've also brought in animals myself. The wonderful staff and other volunteers there are selfless and compassionate.
I can't even tell you how wonderful Second Chance is. I've brought many animals to them. I found three baby squirrels on the ground and two of them were bleeding. Second Chance saved them and even took the time to explain to me that they were probably orphans because they were so dehydrated and had climbed out of their nest looking for water. I also brought them two baby birds knocked out of a nest by a storm and injured. Second Chance put them in an incubator and again explained everything to me. I'm so thankful for Second Chance!
The staff and volunteers at SCWC are awesome and I can't say enough good things about their services. I brought an injured animal I found outside to them, and they provided the best care possible for her. They were caring, committed, responsive, and make a huge difference in the community. SCWC, thank you for the great work you do!
All I can say is that they are doing an awesome job, and it is a pleasure to know people who dedicate so much time to our wildlife. great Job!!!!!!!!!! We need more Institution like this!
I don't know what people who don't live near this kind of terrific resource do when they come across an injured animal but I know that its existence in our community is a blessing. I have taken injured wildlife there many times and I know the animal will have a chance to get back to nature or die gently there. That is quite a gift.
I am so glad we have Second Chance Wildlife Center in our community!! I have taken injured birds and small mammals to their facility on numerous occasions and have been SO IMPRESSED with their responsiveness, dedication, and abilities. I live in a heavily wooded are and find injured critters and occasionally abandoned babies. A soon as I walk in the door with an animal, someone is immediately on the case providing care and explaining their diagnosis and how they plan on treating the animal or bird. Second Chance Wildlife Center enables me to help animals in need who would likely not survive otherwise. I know of no other facility that takes in injured wildlife, rehabilitates them, and then returns them safely to the wild -- what a wonderful, humane, and caring community service they provide. I make a donation every time I bring in an animal.
We have brought orphaned wildlife into the Second Chance facility a number of times over the years, including a baby raccoon separated from its mother on a hot morning. This is the only facility in the entire area devoted (and I mean DEVOTED!!!!) to rescuing and rehabbing wildlife back into the wild. The staff at Second Chance are very knowledgeable about how to handle and treat the animals, especially babies, to assess their needs, treat/prevent infections, get them re-hydrated, and quickly on the road to recovery and rehab. They do all this in an over-crowded and over-used renovated farmhouse, so the need is obviously there to keep wild animal and bird populations at healthy levels in an ever more crowded Montgomery County! a baby cliff swallow fallen from it's nest, and baby rabbits born under our front porch when it
Second Chance Wildlife Center is a haven for wildlife in these harrowing times. The people there are selfless and dedicated to improving the lives of these animals in need. I've brought animals in distress to them and have always felt that they handled the animals well and with utmost care and efficiency. I volunteer at this facility as well, and am satisfied with and appreciate the professionalism and education that is shared with myself.
We became acquainted with Second Chance Wildlife Center when one of the backyard squirrels that my husband fed obviously became ill. We didn’t know what we could do to help her but a quick Google search turned up the Center. They responded patiently to my husband’s emails and advised him how to humanely trap her to get her to the Center for attention. Once he brought the squirrel in, he was impressed with their caring and professionalism. The squirrel’s care was impressive and they took good care of her, in spite of her protestations (she was not one of their better patients). Because we believe this organization is a tremendous community organization, he has continued to support the Center through involvement in community activities, volunteering at Center events and financial support. The Center operates on a shoe-string and it is truly amazing what they are able to do.
I started volunteering with SCWC in 2002 and eventually became part of the summertime staff for several years. I have also donated, brought in animals I've found, and since I've become a veterinarian I've volunteered my services as well. The staff and volunteers here are among the most dedicated, hardworking people I've ever met, and are always looking for ways to improve animal care and public education. Staff have been known to give up paychecks (and trust me, they are not flush with cash) in order to obtain medical care or supplies for animals in need. The volunteers have hard, dirty jobs but are always looking for new ways to improve and learn. Even in the very worst weather SCWC is there to help care for injured wildlife.
I have visited their open house for several years, where the evidence of their good work is on display! So many baby birds, squirrels, rabbits and other creatures getting a second chance at life. If you get a chance, go to there and see firsthand how caring and dedicated the staff is. It will make your day!
My first experience with Second Chance Wildlife was when I accidentally knocked a bird's nest out of a tree. I didn't discover what I did until much later, but I brought the poor baby birds (very newly hatched) to the facility. The staff were professional, very concerned about the animals, didn't make me feel like an idiot, and gave me constructive feedback about what to do if this (god forbid) ever happens again. For example, I didn't know that I should have added some cloth to the box I put the birds in to keep them warm. I have called them occasionally with questions about other wildlife that visit our yard, and am a regular donor. They truly operate on a shoe-string budget and I am confident that any money I give them will be well spent.
Second Chance Wildlife Center is a wonderful organization. They are now the only wildlife rescue group left in Montgomery County, Maryland. The only other one closed down recently. I have had limited experience with SCWC. I had a squirrel in my back yard that was injured. I called them and they said to bring it in. I caught the squirrel and took it to SCWC. They immediately took my squirrel back and examined it. They determined there was hope (albeit slight) that my squirrel would survive what turned out to be an attack by a hawk. The Animals there are put under the name of the person that brought it in. That way you can call and check on your animal. I called them about 45 minutes after I left, and they were very pleasant, although they of course had no new news for me. My Squirrel ended up dying on day 3 at the center :( However, the staff was very supportive of me. They made sure I knew that they think the Squirrel knew that someone cared for it. They also assured me that the squirrel was comfortable when he died. Caring like that is amazing.