Second Chance Wildlife Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the upcoming December 8 opening of its new $5.4 million facility in Clarksburg, which will enhance the organization’s ability to treat and rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife from across Maryland.
Per the news release: “The 30-year-old nonprofit’s new campus includes Maryland’s only large flight conditioning structure for raptors, specialized rehabilitation spaces for native species, and upgraded medical and nursery areas to support its mission of returning healthy animals to the wild.
Second Chance Wildlife Center (SCWC), a beloved and respected 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the medical treatment and rehabilitation of injured, ill, and orphaned wild animals from across Maryland, celebrated the upcoming opening (December 8, 2025) of its new state-of-the-art facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony today attended by local and state government leaders and wildlife officials as well as and longtime supporters.
The new $5.4 million+, custom-designed facility sits on more than eight acres in Clarksburg and represents a transformative leap forward for the 30-year-old organization, which has operated for decades out of a converted farmhouse in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The center’s new campus features Maryland’s only large flight strength and conditioning structure for raptors and other large birds – spanning 100 feet long and 20 feet tall – along with specialized rehabilitation spaces for a wide range of native species.
“This new facility fulfills a dream that has been decades in the making,” said Maureen Smith, President of Second Chance Wildlife Center. “It will allow us to provide the highest quality of species-specific medical care and rehabilitation to thousands of wild animals annually with the goal of releasing healthy animals back to the intended roles in nature.” Second Chance Wildlife Center admits over 2,600 animal patients – representing over 120 different species – each year.
Guests at the event toured the new clinic and outdoor rehabilitation enclosures, viewed the new hydrotherapy and x-ray rooms, and saw the dedicated nursery spaces for baby mammals and songbirds. The event also included remarks from organizational leaders, the presentation of proclamations from the Governor of Maryland, the Maryland State Assembly, and the County Executive of Montgomery County, Maryland, each recognizing Second Chance Wildlife Center for 30 years of service and celebrating this major new accomplishment.
Said Smith, “Moving to Clarksburg, Maryland – 14 miles north of our longtime home in Gaithersburg – allows us to remain in Montgomery County while also bringing us closer to where the need for our services has been growing significantly each year due to increasing development destroying native habitat and increasing human activity.”
The organization plans to officially open for patient admissions on Monday, December 8, 2025, operating daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including holidays. The facility was funded entirely through private donations, reflecting strong community support for wildlife and trust in Second Chance Wildlife Center – which holds the highest ratings possible by independent charity evaluators GuideStar and Charity Navigator.
Founded in 1995 by Christine Montuori, who began rehabilitating wildlife from her home basement, SCWC now admits more than 2,500 wild animals annually and provides expert guidance in response to more than 8,000 wildlife inquiries each year. Operating under permits issued by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the organization’s mission is to provide compassionate medical care, rehabilitation, and release for native wildlife and migratory species in need. Smith also emphasized that with the construction project now nearly complete, the organization will be adding a tremendous focus a new Education and Engagement Program in 2026 and beyond for people of all ages.
“No matter how advanced our new facility is, our mission remains the same,” said Smith. “Every animal deserves a second chance at the life nature intended, and this space ensures we can give them that opportunity safely and effectively – along with our well-known reputation for compassion in all that we do.”
Key partners in building Second Chance Wildlife Center’s new campus include TW Construction, which served as General Contractor for the main clinic building and fire suppression system’s “pump house” and McIntyre Home Improvements of Rockville, MD which served as General Contractor of the unique outdoor pre-release enclosures. Richard Donnally served as Architect. MGAC assisted in construction project management and coordination. Ruppert Landscaping donated all landscaping services, featuring native plants and trees. Fencing was provided by Builder’s Fence Company. Catoctin Valley Engineering Technology provided all wi-fi, IT wiring and security cameras. Maryland Sign Design provided all large signage.”
