HEART OF PHOENIX EQUINE RESCUE INC

Notes from the nonprofit

Each day, Heart of Phoenix receives an outpouring of emails and calls asking for help for horses in need. We work tirelessly to be able to help as many of these desperate cases as possible. We believe that there is no place in the Nation with a greater need of rescue than HERE in the economically depressed area of Appalachia. Poverty is overwhelming. Our team is constantly faced with situations even those in equine rescue outside of our state would look at and say, "There is No Hope." But time and time again, we have seen horses overcome odds that are near miraculous. We have been able to oversee rehabs that defy ALL odds. We believe, with Your Help, there is hope in even the most dark and bleak of situations.

Working in a state where nearly 20% of the residents live in Poverty makes the effort to save horses in conditions, we believe, could be the worst in the USA quite the daunting task. Yet, day in and out, we are seeing success with support across the county for the horses of Appalachia. We worked for quite a few years as West Virginia's only 501(c)3 non-profit equine rescue and still stand as the state's largest, most effective equine rescue organization working state-wide.

We remind everyone that the horses, ponies and donkeys that come to Heart of Phoenix were not simply kept in less than adequate conditions or at risk of auction, they were almost way at the end, having used all mental and physical reserves hanging on, at the last hour. . .

The number of equines in need in the Tri-state area is hard to pin point due to the rural location of many homes; however, our director estimates that for each horse we are able to help, twenty or more calls or emails begging for help must go unanswered due to lack of funding and space, and sadly, almost no other established equine rescue organization covers these areas.

While Across the United States, over 100,000 horses are sent over our borders to slaughter, here in Appalachia, there are fates worse than slaughter that await those neglected; those not rescued. It can mean years of beatings, dark and filthy stalls with little food or water until they simply cannot carry on. It sometimes means being turned out in winter on an old and dangerous mine site to scrape out an existence as a feral horse on inhospitable land. It means being bred year after year, passing from auction to auction and being purchased by only the worst of buyers because their skin is hanging over a bony frame: They are worthless. No one sees Them. We implore you to hear their story, and allow us to come to their rescue.

We are a Beacon of Hope and is helping change the outlook for horses in the West Virginia, Southern Ohio and Eastern Kentucky area. With YOUR Financial support, we work ceaselessly to see horses that are shells of their former selves, skeletons barely clinging to life, rehabbed with quality vet care and love and given a SECOND chance. We assure them the best shot possible at a forever home.