Only Sunshine Sanctuary is a small, grassroots animal sanctuary in Sacramento county dedicated to spreading peace, love, and compassion. ☀️🌱 We are community-based: we believe in connecting with local artists, businesses, nonprofits, and coalitions to make an impact on the greater Sacramento region. We believe in helping not only animals, but the people who love and care for them, because animal and human welfare are inextricably linked.
Our Story
Our founder, Kristy Venrick-Mardon, always knew she had a passion for working with animals and dreamed of being surrounded by them in her life. She bought the one-acre of land Only Sunshine Sanctuary is on with the intention of being able to work with the land and use it to help any animal that crossed her path. Before she was able to move onto the property, she went to the Sacramento SPCA just to meet a pig that was there because his family had lost their home. That's where she met Harold. She was warned he was shy and not super friendly. Upon meeting him, he instantly rolled over for a belly rub and it was love at first sight. Harold was the first resident to move onto what is now Only Sunshine Sanctuary. Over the years, Kristy continued to help animals when needed, but wanted to be able to reach a wider scope and include the community. That’s why she founded Only Sunshine Sanctuary.
Bring Only Sunshine into the lives of the Earth’s precious creatures. Be a loving, caring force that provides food, shelter, and medical care to animals in need. Encourage like-minded community members to come together to make a positive impact in the lives of all living things.
The cost for caring for the 66 animals in our care is always going up, so we can use all the support we can for hay, pellets, bedding, and enrichment.
Here are the animals we currently have in our care:
20 chickens, 15 adoptable/foster rabbits, 6 ducks, 4 sanctuary goats, 4 sanctuary rabbits, 3 sanctuary cats, 4 sanctuary dogs, 3 sanctuary pigs, 3 rats, 2 foster goats, 1 sheep, 1 turtle
At Only Sunshine Sanctuary, we are dedicated to creating a community where compassion and inclusivity go hand in hand. We believe that every individual—regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, abilities, or background—deserves to feel valued, respected, and welcomed. Our mission is to foster a space of peace, love, and equity that uplifts not only animals but the people who care deeply for them.
As a small, grassroots sanctuary in Sacramento County, we’re proud to be part of the local community, building connections with artists, businesses, nonprofits, and groups that share our commitment to making a difference. We know that animal welfare and human welfare are profoundly linked, and we strive to support and celebrate the diversity within both.
We recognize that the animal welfare space has not always been inclusive and that there is more work to be done. To create meaningful change, we are actively seeking and involving voices from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and other marginalized communities in everything we do. We are dedicated to listening, learning, and growing, continuously seeking ways to be a more inclusive and compassionate sanctuary.
By nurturing a culture of equity and justice, we aim to create a sanctuary where everyone—whether human or animal—can find a sense of belonging, support, and hope.
Organization name
Only Sunshine Sanctuary
2020
Tax id (EIN)
84-4724131
Mission Category
Animal Related
Operating Budget
$0-$50,000
Organization Need
Funding: Unrestricted
Demographics Served
Animals, Low-income individuals/families, Youth & Children
Local Counties Served
Sacramento
Address
8533 EL VERANO AVESacramento County, CA, US