A microburst hit Arizona Small Dog Rescue’s new Tempe location on Monday, severely damaging the outdoor area at Arizona Small Dog Rescue and forcing the shelter to close temporarily. These sudden storms pose numerous challenges for animal shelters, including an increased demand for housing displaced pets and potential overcrowding, which can strain resources further.

The storm left the shelter with torn shade structures, uprooted metal poles, and scattered playpens and toys, interrupting adoption operations even though staff reported no animals were harmed. The shelter will be closed to the public for several days, aiming to reopen by Friday. Community support is crucial during such times, as it can come in various forms, like donating money or supplies to help with recovery.

Thunder, lightning, and strong winds rattled the neighborhood as the microburst passed through, and staff described the scene in the yard after the gusts subsided. The shelter’s outdoor shade structure was destroyed, metal poles that had been secured in the ground were torn out, and playpens and toys were scattered across the yard, according to shelter accounts.

Inside the facility, employees moved quickly to account for animals and secure indoor spaces. “It got really intense, really quick,” a shelter employee said, describing the suddenness of the wind and noise that accompanied the storm. Shelter staff usually have detailed emergency preparedness plans in place that outline their roles and responsibilities during such crises.

Arizona Small Dog Rescue announced the temporary shutdown to allow staff and volunteers time to repair damaged fencing and outdoor infrastructure and to ensure safe conditions for animals and visitors. The closure will last at least three days — roughly 72 hours — with a planned reopening on Friday, the shelter said. For now, the shelter is also anticipating a potential increase in displaced animals needing assistance, which could further complicate recovery efforts.

Marissa Jackson, advancement manager for Arizona Small Dog Rescue, described the emotional toll of pausing adoptions while repairs are made. “It really becomes hard to see us have to stop their opportunity to go home, even for a day or two,” Jackson said. She emphasized the need for fostering and adopting to free up space in times of crisis.

Jackson also noted the financial strain of storm damage on the nonprofit’s operations and medical budget. “We need those funds for medical care. It’s really heartbreaking to see the best parts of that come crashing down in the wind,” she said. Community members willing to assist can also help by volunteering for tasks like administrative help or transportation.

As staff assess the full scope of damage, the shelter has asked for help from the community to support rebuilding efforts. Guidance on practical ways the public can assist rescues after events like storms is available from organizations such as Humaneworld, and local reporting on the incident has been published by outlets including ABC15.

For now, staff continue to prioritize animal welfare while they repair outdoor areas and prepare to reopen for adoptions and public visits on Friday. No animals were harmed during the microburst, shelter officials emphasized as they began cleanup.

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Original reporting: view the original article.