Volunteers travelling from as far as the United States are helping an animal sanctuary affected by the summer bushfires to recover.

Secret Creek Sanctuary owner and manager Trevor Evans said he had defended his property from bushfire three times in just over 20 years.

But despite his experience and preparation, he said he had been alarmed by the ferocity of the most recent disaster that struck the sanctuary in late December.

"It was a very angry, big fire, that's for sure," Mr Evans said.

For several weeks he and a group of volunteers were able to protect the venue from the Gospers Mountain bushfire, which was threatening the city of Lithgow at the foot of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales.

Mr Evans says he is spending $500 a week to feed the sanctuary's rare and endangered animals. ( ABC Central West: Luke Wong )

Mr Evans said the blaze burnt through 405 hectares of conservation bushland on his property, and destroyed a dingo enclosure and a shipping container filled with tools.

"We were fortunate enough to stop the fire on our feral-proof fence," he said.

"We prepared ourselves and saved all the enclosures and things that we have here, but all the animals are safe — that's the main thing."

The disaster has also affected visitor numbers to the sanctuary and the on-site restaurant and wedding venue operated by Mr Evan's daughter.

"We've probably lost 85 per cent of our business which has been hard," he said.

Volunteers have been flocking to the sanctuary to assist in bushfire recovery efforts. ( Supplied: Australian Ecosystems Foundation )

Volunteers lend helping hands

Mr Evans said he had been swamped with calls from people and businesses willing to help in the recovery process once the fires had passed.

Several groups of volunteers, some travelling from as far the US, visited the sanctuary to lend their time and efforts.

Allison Garoza and her friends volunteered their time to install water dispensers for bushfire-affected wildlife. ( Supplied: Allison Garoza )

Sydney resident Allison Garoza and her colleagues came to install wildlife water stations and feed the sanctuary's rare and endangered captive animals.

"It's just a beautiful way to feel that you can contribute and make a connection with the people that have gone through this and let them know that other people are caring about them," Ms Garoza said.

"If you're just going for a weekend away, or to volunteer, you're putting money back into the economy which they desperately need."

A professional video editor, Ms Garoza also produced a clip which helped raise money for the venue through an online crowdfunding campaign.

"Any skill-set you have can make a difference," she said.

Mr Evans said public support had been very encouraging.

"The donations obviously help us through this really hard time where we've had no business for a month and a half," he said.

"The community support has been fantastic."

Heavy rains hinder recovery

Mr Evans had taken advantage of drought conditions to dig out a platypus pond at the sanctuary.

A newly-dug platypus pond was contaminated by ash from heavy rains just before construction could be completed. ( ABC Central West: Luke Wong )

However, recent unexpected downpours brought ash down from the surrounding mountains, contaminating the pond site just a day before construction was completed.

He said storage facilities were also inundated with water, flooding three refrigerators.

"All that time I was wishing for rain [and] that was one day I didn't wish for rain, it turned up," Mr Evans said.

He said having customers return to the restaurant and committing to wedding bookings would eventually help the venue return to normality.

"That's what I think all businesses need — that local support and commitment to continue to use the facility or use the business," Mr Evans said.

"Some of those bridal dresses in white look fantastic against the black landscape."