🕊️ In Loving Memory — Our Heavenly Herd 🕊️

Raising and caring for animals means loving deeply — and sometimes, saying goodbye. This season, we pause to honor several dear friends who’ve crossed the rainbow bridge:

🐐 Lucy, our black-and-white goat whose playful spirit filled the pasture with laughter.
🐑 Copper, our gentle all-white sheep, who loved quiet mornings and sunshine naps.
🦆 Bill, our dark brown duck, who paddled proudly beside his feathered friends and reminded us all of the joy in simple moments.

Each of these special souls has joined Bill Darpino, the man for whom our sanctuary was created, in heaven — a place of open fields, warm light, and peace. 🌤️

Here on earth, we carry their memory forward through every act of care, kindness, and compassion we show to those still with us. Their lives remind us that love — even through loss — is what truly keeps Sunshine Farm shining. 💛

❄️ Winter Is Coming — Caring for Our Sanctuary Family ❄️

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, our animals begin to fluff up, prepare their shelters, and settle in for the season ahead.

• 🦙 Alpacas grow dense, insulating fleece to stay warm — no coats required!
• 🐑 Sheep rely on their wool for protection, and we make sure they’re dry and cozy.
• 🐐 Goats love to huddle together, sharing body heat and keeping each other company.
• 🐖 Mini pigs curl up in thick straw beds, sometimes nose-to-tail, tucked into their shelters to stay snug all night.

Each species has its own rhythm and routine through the cold months — and we do everything we can to make their winter comfortable, safe, and full of love.

The Goats Joan and Donkey Haying the animals last winter! Whats on the Horizon

🪵 Preparing for Winter — and Dreaming of Spring 🪵

Before the snow flies, there’s much to do on the farm! Here’s what’s on our list:

• 🏠 Repairing the pig porch, adding a wind barrier for warmth and safety.
• 🌾 Securing round bale coverings to protect hay from the elements.
• 🐴 Purchasing two round bale hay nets ($120 each) to make feeding safer and less wasteful.
• 🎨 Planning to repaint animal structures — if not before winter, then first thing in spring.
• 🪚 Building three-and-three-quarter-sided shelters for our horses and sheep — before the ground freezes if possible!

The biggest need as we head into winter is hay. It costs roughly $2,000 to provide enough for our animals through the cold months. Their grain costs also rise, especially for the pigs — who need almost double their usual feed to stay healthy and warm.

Right now, we’re paying $30 for two 25-lb bags, using four bags every three weeks. Those expenses add up quickly — but they’re worth every bite when we see our pigs happy, healthy, and thriving through winter. 🐷❤️

If you’d like to help us stock up for the season, your donation — big or small — makes a real difference!

🌻 Animal Care Club — Our Monthly Giving Family 🌻

We are so grateful for our Animal Care Club — the amazing supporters who give monthly to help care for our flock, herd, and family of rescues.

Knowing what’s coming in each month allows us to plan ahead for feed, vet visits, and maintenance. That consistency keeps the sanctuary running smoothly — and brings us incredible peace of mind.

🐾 Current Animal Care Club Members​
Karen Wilcox (NJ)
Joan & Mark Everitt (PA)
Kristie & Rob Spencer
Emily & Tony Darpino (NJ)
Debbie Darpino (NJ)

You make this mission possible. 💛

Would you like to join them?
It’s simple — visit our Animal Care Club Page and check the box for “Make this a monthly donation.”
That’s it — you’re part of the club!

Every dollar, every month, helps keep Sunshine Farm Sanctuary running with love, care, and compassion.

Reader

🌞 Thank You for Being Part of Our Story 🌞

Whether you give monthly, volunteer, share our posts, or simply send kind words — you’re part of our sanctuary family.

Together, we’re creating a place of peace for animals whose owners have faced life-changing circumstances and can no longer care for them. These animals weren’t unwanted — they were deeply loved — and Sunshine Farm Sanctuary exists to give them a forever home where that love continues.

🐑❤️ From all of us at Sunshine Farm Sanctuary, thank you for helping our light shine bright through every season.

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Sunshine Farm Sanctuary Inc | Montrose PA

www.sunshinefarmsanctuary.org