Storm damages infrastructure and feed at Sunshine Animal Sanctuary
The Sunshine Animal Sanctuary in Surprise is recovering after a powerful monsoon microburst ripped through the property, destroying a hay-storage structure, damaging shelter roofs and temporarily cutting access to clean water for the animals the nonprofit cares for.
Founder Kelly Kilmain said the damage came with little warning and was among the most severe the sanctuary has experienced. The storm brought extreme winds, hail and heavy rainfall that compounded the physical destruction and disrupted basic services the facility depends on.
"We've not had any real strong damage, little things here and there, but nothing like this. And it just kind of came out of nowhere."
According to Kilmain, the storage building that kept hay and other feed was destroyed and large quantities of feed were ruined by water. Several inches of rain also affected parts of the sanctuary's infrastructure, and the property's well system went offline, leaving animals temporarily without access to clean water. Despite the losses, staff and volunteers report the animals themselves escaped major injury.
"The only injury we had, one of my horses has a little small scrape on his nose. But they were fine, so that was the biggest relief," Kilmain said.
Immediate needs and community response
The sanctuary operates primarily through volunteers and community support, providing care for horses, donkeys and other domesticated animals that need long-term placement. Those same supporters quickly mobilized after the storm.
- Fundraising: A GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $10,000 toward repairs, replacement feed and restoring damaged facilities.
- Volunteer help: Local volunteers have assisted with cleanup and temporary shelter repairs.
- Supplies: Donations of hay, feed and water are being coordinated to address immediate animal needs.
While the fundraising provides immediate relief, rebuilding storage, repairing roofs and restoring a reliable water supply will require more planning and likely additional funds. Kilmain emphasized the difficulty in finding long-term placements for domestic horses and donkeys, an issue that underscores how essential the sanctuary’s continued operation is to the regional network of animal welfare.
Damage overview
| Damage | Reported impact |
|---|---|
| Hay/feed storage destroyed | Large amounts of feed ruined |
| Shelter roofs | Structural damage to animal shelters |
| Well system | Temporarily offline, affecting access to clean water |
Sanctuary leaders say the swift community response has been a bright spot amid the damage. The funds raised so far have helped cover immediate expenses for feed and temporary repairs, and volunteers have been crucial in stabilizing the facility while longer-term recovery plans are developed.
What comes next
Organizers are prioritizing restoring a reliable water supply and rebuilding secure, weather-resistant storage for feed. That work will determine how quickly the sanctuary can resume normal operations and whether additional outside assistance is needed.
For residents who want to help, the sanctuary’s public appeals include monetary donations through the GoFundMe campaign and in-kind donations of hay, feed and building materials. Volunteers with construction, fencing or small-animal handling experience may also be valuable as repairs progress.
As the region moves through monsoon season, the incident serves as a reminder of how sudden severe weather can affect local nonprofits and the animals they protect. The sanctuary’s leaders and volunteers say continued community support will be vital to fully recover from the storm’s damage.
