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Wednesday 7:30am - 6pm Friday 7:30am - 6pm

Gentle Friends Sanctuary

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Mount Airy, MD
Gentle Friends Sanctuary

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Gentle Friends is a wildlife sanctuary, creating a safer and more compassionate world.

09/04/2026

🐿️ 🌿 Happy National Wildlife Day! 🌿🐦‍⬛

What better way to celebrate than by sending one of our own back where she belongs! 🩷

Today, we celebrated the return to the wild of this little opossum, affectionately known around here as Mean Girl. 😂 She definitely lived up to her name and made sure everyone knew exactly what she thought of us!

But underneath that feisty little attitude was a healthy, wild opossum who was ready to get back to doing what opossums do best, being wild and independent.

We have absolutely no doubt that Mean Girl is going to do just fine out there. In fact, we're pretty sure she's already found a nice quiet place to tell everyone else who's boss. 😉

Happy National Wildlife Day, Mean Girl! Go be wild! 🩷🐾🌿

08/19/2026

Newest arrivals! 🐿️

Just when we think things might finally be slowing down… the babies start pouring in again! 😂

We've welcomed lots of new squirrels lately, including one tiny pinkie who arrived with a broken leg. The good news is that her little leg is already starting to fuse, and she's expected to make a full recovery. She's got some growing to do, but she's already showing us she's a tough little girl!

And then there's Phoebe. 🥹🩷 This absolutely adorable little opossum has quickly become a favorite around here. With that sweet face and tiny personality, it's not hard to see why everyone is completely smitten with her.

The nursery may be busy, but every new arrival is another little life getting the chance to grow, heal, and eventually head back into the wild.

For now, we'll just keep the milk coming, the pouches cozy, and the babies growing! 🌿🐾

07/31/2026

It's been a busy week at Gentle Friends Wildlife Sanctuary! 💚🐿🐢🐦

We've welcomed several new patients over the last few days, including three baby squirrels that arrived thin, dehydrated, and in need of immediate care. We're happy to report they're doing much better now! With full bellies, proper hydration, and a cozy cuddle pouch to snuggle in, they're well on their way to recovery.

We've also admitted a box turtle with a pretty severe shell crack. Shell injuries take time to heal and require careful monitoring, but we're hopeful this tough little patient will make a full recovery.

On top of that, we've taken in quite a few baby Blue Jays and robins, many of whom were displaced during the recent storm. Strong winds and heavy rain can bring young birds to the ground before they are ready to be on their own, making this one of our busiest times of year.

Every patient that comes through our doors has a unique story, but they all have one thing in common, they deserve a second chance. Thank you to everyone who supports Gentle Friends Wildlife Sanctuary. Your kindness and generosity make it possible for us to provide the care these wild animals need before they can return to where they belong. 💚🌿

07/16/2026

Learning to eat is messy business! 🩶🐾

Once baby opossums no longer need to be tube fed, it's time to learn how to lap milk from a dish. Sounds simple enough...right?

Not exactly.

First, they walk past the dish. Then they walk right through it. They lay in it, roll over in it, and somehow manage to lick every part of the dish except where the milk actually is. It's equal parts frustrating and absolutely adorable.

Eventually, though, it clicks. They figure out that the milk is IN the dish - not on the sides, not underneath it, and definitely not by wearing it!

Watching these little ones reach each new milestone is one of the best parts of wildlife rehabilitation. Every messy lesson brings them one step closer to growing up and returning to the wild where they belong. 💚

07/08/2026

This Catbird came to us with a broken leg, making it impossible to survive on its own in the wild. After weeks of expert care, rest, and rehabilitation, we're happy to share that the fracture has fully healed!

Now this little patient has graduated to our flight cage, where it can rebuild its strength, improve its flying skills, and prepare for the next big milestone - returning to the wild.

Every step of rehabilitation brings our patients one step closer to freedom, and we can't wait for the day this beautiful bird is ready to spread its wings and head home.

07/01/2026

Wildlife Wednesday! 🐢💚

This week's featured patient is this beautiful turtle, who came to us after being struck by a car.

The impact caused a fracture to the plastron (the bottom portion of the shell). Thankfully, the fracture was able to be carefully realigned and stabilized, giving it the best chance to heal properly.

Shell fractures take a long time to heal, so recovery requires plenty of patience, rest, and careful monitoring. While it's a slow process, this turtle is making progress every day.

With time and continued healing, we hope this resilient survivor will make a full recovery. The day we can watch it crawl back into the wild will make every step of this long rehabilitation worthwhile. 💚🐢

06/25/2026

URGENT!!!! Is anyone in Frederick City able to help an injured crow? We have received multiple reports of an injured crow on the ground on the campus of FCC at the location pinned.

06/24/2026

Wildlife Wednesday!

This week's stars are these adorable young opossums!

These little ones are growing fast and doing exactly what young opossums should be doing - eating, exploring, and preparing for life on their own. Once they reach about 3 pounds, they'll graduate to our pre-release enclosure, where they'll have the opportunity to practice the skills they'll need to thrive in the wild.

After that, they'll be ready for the most exciting step of all: freedom!

Opossums are incredible animals and an important part of our ecosystem. They help control pests, clean up carrion, and generally go about their lives causing far less trouble than their reputation suggests.

For now, these babies still have a little growing left to do, but before long they'll be heading back where they belong. Until then, enjoy these adorable faces and cheer them on as they work toward their wild future! 🩶🌿

06/16/2026

Every animal has a story, and this turtle release is a reminder that “different” doesn’t always mean “disabled.” 🐢

This turtle came to us for evaluation with a front leg that is little more than a nub and a shell marked by years of wear and tear. After a thorough assessment, it was clear that these old injuries weren’t holding it back. It was active, strong, and fully capable of doing exactly what nature intended.

Not every wild animal needs to be “perfect” to survive. Many adapt remarkably well to old injuries and go on to live long, successful lives in the wild.

So, we sent this tough little survivor back home where it belongs. Have a safe journey little friend, we are honored to have been a small part of your journey. 💚

06/11/2026

Today's newest arrival is a fledgling Blue Jay, and as you can see, he's found comfort snuggled up next to a stuffed "foster" Blue Jay. 💙🐦

Stuffed companions like this help young orphaned birds feel secure while allowing our rehabilitators to provide care without encouraging them to bond with humans. Our goal is always the same, to raise healthy, wild birds that can one day return to the skies where they belong.

This little one has a journey ahead of him, but he's safe, warm, and receiving the specialized care he needs.

Welcome to the sanctuary, little one. We're rooting for you. 💙

Address

Please Call To Arrange Drop Off
Mount Airy, MD
21771

Opening Hours

Wednesday	7:30am - 6pm
Friday	7:30am - 6pm

Telephone

+12403947017

Website

http://gentlefriends.org/

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