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Mission
Phoenix Rising Sanctuary is a non-profit organization that believes all equines and other animals should live free from cruelty, neglect, and abuse. We are dedicated to saving horses from cruelty, starvation, and slaughter by providing quality care.
Our History
In 2013, Matt and Jen Stone of Fall Creek, Wisconsin adopted a horse named Max from an equine rescue in Minnesota that was closing. Max was originally rescued from an auction where he was brought by his owner due to sustaining a significant injury and requiring months of rehabilitation.
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When researching where Max came from and why there is a need for horse rescues in our country, Matt and Jen decided to create their own organization focusing on the rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of horses at risk of entering the slaughter pipeline. Thus, in 2014, Phoenix Rising Rescue and Rehabilitation was established.
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Phoenix Rising's mission is to save unwanted horses from abuse, neglect, starvation, and slaughter and provide for their care and training. Over the last nine years, Phoenix Rising has taken in unwanted owner surrenders, attended auctions and bid on horses at risk of being shipped for slaughter, and worked side by side with other rescues to coordinate surrender events. Due to many of these horses having health issues or being aged and not likely candidates for adoption, the focus of Phoenix has evolved into a sanctuary and “last stop” for horses to live out their life in comfortable retirement.
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In 2023, after a decade of dedication to unwanted horses, Jen decided to take a step down from leading Phoenix Rising and passed the torch to Amanda Howe. With this came a change in the mission of Phoenix Rising, as it was decided to focus on looking after senior horses already in their care and put less emphasis on rehoming horses. Amanda shares Jen’s passion for senior horse care and is thrilled to be taking over this vital mission.
About Amanda
Amanda Howe grew up in the Chippewa Valley. After starting riding at 8 years old, she’s been working with horses for 20 years now. She boarded her horses growing up and always dreamed of having the ability to live on land with her own horses. After studying Equine Riding and Training as well as Equine Business Management at Northwest College in Wyoming, Amanda began her career in the veterinarian clinic field. She now has 10 years of experience under her belt and has also been providing boarding, riding lessons, and massage therapy through her business, Smartly Dunn. She has a passion for caring for senior horses who can’t be relocated elsewhere, making her a perfect fit to lead Phoenix Rising into the future. Amanda has a daughter and a son and is happily living her dreams surrounded by the people and animals she loves most.