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Friends For Life Animal Shelter

#BeUnsheltered

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About Us

We save animals and help our neighbors care for the pets they love.

At Friends For Life, every animal matters. Founded in 2002, Friends For Life introduced the no-kill shelter model to Houston – saving animals regardless of their breed, age or condition.

Houston-grown, we’re here to help our neighbors care for the pets they love.

We’re not finished until every animal has a safe home. Until then, we’ll be innovating, improving and tracking results to find the most effective ways to save lives.

How we’re different

Every Animal Matters

We save animals regardless of their origin, breed, age or condition. Many shelters refuse strays, animals from private citizens, or even entire breeds. Instead, we are guided by a simple principle: Every Animal Matters.

Rooted in our community

No shelter is an island. We lean on our community to fuel our work. In return, the Houston community relies on us. Here are some programs that help lift our neighbors:

  • We gave away 5,500+ free spay/neuter surgeries (and counting) through our Fix Houston program. The result: There will be 100,000 fewer animals coming into Houston shelters.
  • Friends For Life Animal Food Bank (Houston’s first!) provided our neighbors with 50 tons of pet food in 2018 alone, and tons more (literally) in 2019.
  • During Hurricane Harvey, we responded to the City’s call. The Mayor needed us to manage pets at the George R. Brown Evacuation Center. We set up the country’s first-ever shelter where people stay together with their pets. The success of our effort set an example for future disaster planning.
  • During COVID-19, we’ve started providing a Drive-Thru Clinic + Pet Food Bank. We’re the only organization in the city offering this service that gets free vaccinations, vet exams, preventatives, and pet food to those struggling to care for their animal family members.

We keep score

We look at data to track our progress and make decisions. From TNR mapping to measuring training clicks, we rely on evidence to help us fine-tune our best practices.

Our Model

We see our work as a three-legged stool:

  • Rescue, rehabilitate and adopt (Wellness, Behavior, Adoptions)
  • Reduce animal births (Fix Houston)
  • Help our neighbors with their pets (Thinking Outside the Shelter)

When deployed together, these programs lead to a systemic change. We envision the day when all animals have homes, and shelters become resource centers for the community.

Our Tribe

All Categories BOARD ADVISORS STAFF
team

SALISE SHUTTLESWORTH, J.D.

Executive Director + Founder

team

LEANNE SCHNEIDER

Board member since 2018

team

LORI SEELHOFF, DVM

Board member since 2018

team

ROBERTO TREVINO, DVM

Board member since 2016

team

TADD HATCHER

Board member since 2019

team

    CAROLYN LEVY, PH.D.

    Advisor to the Board

    team

      BRIAN VASS

      Advisor to the Board

      team

        PATRICIA (PAT) LARSON

        Board Treasurer + Co-Founder

        team

          EVELYN CUTTS

          Assistant Executive Director

          team

            LENA LIEB, MPA

            Development Director

            team

              KAREN

              Accounting

              team

                SAVANNAH

                Volunteer Manager

                team

                  ANGIE

                  Wellness Lead

                  team

                    JOANN

                    Wellness Coordinator

                    team

                      KERI

                      Fix Houston Manager + ACS Lead

                      team

                        CHELSEA

                        Fix Houston Coordinator

                        team

                          PAM

                          Adoptions Manager

                          team

                            STEPH

                            Adoption Coordinator

                            team

                            RACHEL

                            Adoption Coordinator

                            team

                              ABEL

                              Facilities

                              team

                                HEATHER

                                Events Coordinator

                                team

                                  SHARON

                                  Canine Lead

                                  team

                                  BETH

                                  Behavior Coordinator

                                  team

                                  JENNIFER H.

                                  Communications

                                  team

                                    EVE

                                    Receptionist

                                    team

                                      MELISSA

                                      Behavior Manager

                                      team

                                        PC

                                        Behavior Tech

                                        team

                                          OLIVIA

                                          Behavior Tech

                                          team

                                          EMERY

                                          Behavior Tech

                                          team

                                            CADY

                                            Feline Lead

                                            team

                                              TRUDY

                                              Animal Care Specialist

                                              team

                                                DULCE

                                                Animal Care Specialist

                                                team

                                                  JENNIFER P.

                                                  Animal Care Specialist

                                                  team

                                                    CHLOE

                                                    Animal Care Specialist

                                                    team

                                                      ALESE

                                                      Outreach Coordinator

                                                      team

                                                      Executive Director + Founder

                                                      SALISE SHUTTLESWORTH, J.D.

                                                      “You don’t lead by pointing and telling people someplace to go. You lead by going to that place, and then making a case. That’s what Friends For Life is built on—doing progressive things and proving that they work. We brought Houston the concepts of no kill, Thinking Outside the Shelter, Fix Houston, a feline leukemia cat adoption option, a mobile adoption vehicle, a dog AND cat behavior program, the first cohabitated disaster shelter in the U.S. and a LEED shelter with 96 solar panels on the roof. We didn’t point—we simply headed in the direction of making things better for animals and did the work. Try new things to save as many lives as you can, be transparent about the results and adjust as needed. That’s the recipe. Plus, you can’t ever have too many ferrets.”

                                                      • director@friends4life.org
                                                      team

                                                      Board member since 2018

                                                      LEANNE SCHNEIDER

                                                      “The community partners that Friends For Life has established are helping to strengthen the bond that Houstonians have with their pets and communities, and I’m extremely proud to be a part of that.”

                                                        team

                                                        Board member since 2018

                                                        LORI SEELHOFF, DVM

                                                        “Everyone expects us to approach the animals with compassion, and we do, but Friends For Life extends that to the humans as well, understanding that everybody is doing their best. That compassion—treating others how they want to be treated—makes a world of difference in the community.”

                                                          team

                                                          Board member since 2016

                                                          ROBERTO TREVINO, DVM

                                                          “Despite all my international work with World Vets, I still can’t image a more amazing team to be a part of than Friends For Life. The Friends For Life team is always focused on doing what’s right. They’re heroic in every sense of the word, just not all heroes wear capes.”

                                                            team

                                                            Board member since 2019

                                                            TADD HATCHER

                                                            “While I’m new to the FFL board, I’ve been involved with this tribe since 2013 when I started volunteering at the shelter. I’m excited to be a part of this leadership group as we forge ahead for true changes in the Houston community”

                                                              team

                                                              Advisor to the Board

                                                                CAROLYN LEVY, PH.D.

                                                                “Friends For Life’s Fix Houston™ program is demonstrating that targeted TNR can reduce the free-roaming cat population, and thereby reduce the number of cat deaths and stress on Houston animal welfare resources. Expansion of this program is an essential element in the Friends For Life mission and commitment to the community.”

                                                                  team

                                                                  Advisor to the Board

                                                                    BRIAN VASS

                                                                    “I’ve always been impressed with how Friends For Life tracks the results of their work so diligently. It’s rare to find that in organizations, and even less so in the sheltering community. But it gives Friends For Life a clear way to measure their impact, and data to look to when they need to find the most effective way to advance the cause in a new direction.”

                                                                      team

                                                                      Board Treasurer + Co-Founder

                                                                        PATRICIA (PAT) LARSON

                                                                        “Having been here from the start, I am so proud of what this organization has become. It’s truly a life-line for so many animals, and people, in Houston.”

                                                                          team

                                                                          Assistant Executive Director

                                                                            EVELYN CUTTS

                                                                            • evelyn@friends4life.org
                                                                            team

                                                                            Development Director

                                                                              LENA LIEB, MPA

                                                                              • 713-936-5036
                                                                              • development@friends4life.org
                                                                              team

                                                                              Accounting

                                                                                KAREN

                                                                                • accounting@friends4life.org
                                                                                team

                                                                                Volunteer Manager

                                                                                  SAVANNAH

                                                                                  • volunteermanager@friends4life.org
                                                                                  team

                                                                                  Wellness Lead

                                                                                    ANGIE

                                                                                      team

                                                                                      Wellness Coordinator

                                                                                        JOANN

                                                                                          team

                                                                                          Fix Houston Manager + ACS Lead

                                                                                            KERI

                                                                                            • keri@friends4life.org
                                                                                            team

                                                                                            Fix Houston Coordinator

                                                                                              CHELSEA

                                                                                              • chelsea@friends4life.org
                                                                                              team

                                                                                              Adoptions Manager

                                                                                                PAM

                                                                                                • adoptionmanager@friends4life.org
                                                                                                team

                                                                                                Adoption Coordinator

                                                                                                  STEPH

                                                                                                  • adopt@friends4life.org
                                                                                                  team

                                                                                                  Adoption Coordinator

                                                                                                  RACHEL

                                                                                                  • adoptions@friends4life.org
                                                                                                  team

                                                                                                  Facilities

                                                                                                    ABEL

                                                                                                      team

                                                                                                      Events Coordinator

                                                                                                        HEATHER

                                                                                                        • events@friends4life.org
                                                                                                        team

                                                                                                        Canine Lead

                                                                                                          SHARON

                                                                                                          • sharon@friends4life.org
                                                                                                          team

                                                                                                          Behavior Coordinator

                                                                                                          BETH

                                                                                                          • BehaviorCoordinator@friends4life.org
                                                                                                          team

                                                                                                          Communications

                                                                                                          JENNIFER H.

                                                                                                          • jennifer@friends4life.org
                                                                                                          team

                                                                                                          Receptionist

                                                                                                            EVE

                                                                                                            • ffladmin@friends4life.org
                                                                                                            team

                                                                                                            Behavior Manager

                                                                                                              MELISSA

                                                                                                              • behavior@friends4life.org
                                                                                                              team

                                                                                                              Behavior Tech

                                                                                                                PC

                                                                                                                • behaviortech@friends4life.org
                                                                                                                team

                                                                                                                Behavior Tech

                                                                                                                  OLIVIA

                                                                                                                  • +91-89898989898
                                                                                                                  • nick.knight@example.com
                                                                                                                  team

                                                                                                                  Behavior Tech

                                                                                                                  EMERY

                                                                                                                    team

                                                                                                                    Feline Lead

                                                                                                                      CADY

                                                                                                                      • feline@friends4life.org
                                                                                                                      team

                                                                                                                      Animal Care Specialist

                                                                                                                        TRUDY

                                                                                                                          team

                                                                                                                          Animal Care Specialist

                                                                                                                            DULCE

                                                                                                                              team

                                                                                                                              Animal Care Specialist

                                                                                                                                JENNIFER P.

                                                                                                                                  team

                                                                                                                                  Animal Care Specialist

                                                                                                                                    CHLOE

                                                                                                                                    • chloe@friends4life.org
                                                                                                                                    team

                                                                                                                                    Outreach Coordinator

                                                                                                                                      ALESE

                                                                                                                                      • alese@friends4life.org

                                                                                                                                      Adoption partners

                                                                                                                                      The Cattery at PetSmart

                                                                                                                                      2902 S Shepherd Dr | Houston, TX 77098
                                                                                                                                      Tel 713-520-7917

                                                                                                                                      We have been partnered with PetSmart on South Shepherd for years and love having the cattery there as an outlet to find even more homes for our adoptable cats. With a recent total remodel, the space is now open for us to host small events that include the resident cats!


                                                                                                                                      friends4lifeorg

                                                                                                                                      Friends For Life
                                                                                                                                      We’re not hiding the truth and we’re no We’re not hiding the truth and we’re not sheltering anyone from it either.
.
We’re calling out what needs changing and why. We speak without hesitation and are uncompromising about our deepest-held beliefs, while bringing everyone into the conversation.
.
A shift is needed. The way things are isn't good enough. And so we are #Unsheltered for animals, yes. But we're also about getting Unsheltered in our day-to-day lives. We're about speaking truth to power. Is it uncomfortable? Absolutely. But growth usually is. We're here for it. We know you are, too. Let's rally the humans. #BeUnsheltered
.
To get involved, check out beunsheltered.org for a good place to dive in.
                                                                                                                                      From @fflbehaviorteam >> Wyatt enjoying backyard t From @fflbehaviorteam >> Wyatt enjoying backyard time with his new fren, Dulce! 🐶💖🌿 #Adoptable #PuppyLove
                                                                                                                                      Thank you, Sallie and Glenn! 💙 Thank you, Sallie and Glenn! 💙
                                                                                                                                      9am meeting designated note taker. 9am meeting designated note taker.
                                                                                                                                      Let the shenanigans begin... Let the shenanigans begin...
                                                                                                                                      We recently received this note from one of our awe We recently received this note from one of our awesome community members, who is getting #Unsheltered about TNR. Oh, and saving some lives RIGHT in the nick of time!
.
"I wanted to give a huge shout out and thank you to the Fix Houston team. My neighbors and I have been feeding and waiting to trap a mom and her kittens for the last month or so to get them fixed. Keri and Chelsea answered all of my million+ questions and Chelsea graciously taught me how to trap and various other things as far as resources I could use... all while on her lunch break!
.
It was a time sensitive thing since the house the kitten family was living under was set to be demolished this week. 
.
Thankfully, with their guidance, I was able to trap all 4 of the kittens in the wee hours this morning. It was just in the nick of time because they started demoing at 6AM and would have been for sure crushed. 
.
I greatly appreciate working with folx who are passionate and willing to share their expertises!"
.
.
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#tnr #trapneuterreturn #tnrworks #communtiycats #communitycatscommunityeffort #beunsheltered
                                                                                                                                      In order to be able to continue to do things like In order to be able to continue to do things like this, we need more fosters. A lot of the temporary fosters we had on-board are heading back into their daily work, which means we need to find new fosters for these kittums.
.
friends4life.org/foster
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Some of our latest intakes came from an animal hoarding situation. These are always heartbreaking, and can stir up anger in some. What we've seen over these last 18 years doing this is that, while they are so impossibly hard, many of these situations start out with good intentions. Somewhere along the lines, it all gets out of control. We hold grace for the folx that this happens to. And then we're here to help, when the time comes.
.
From this situation, the responding Animal Control agency ended up with a whole spreadsheet full of cats.80 cats, to be exact. We were able to take on a few.
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#FFLArmy, please give a loving welcome to: Taco Cat, Madam, Stanley Yelnats, and Dr Awkward.
                                                                                                                                      Posted from @fflbehaviorteam #Adoptable Julio got Posted from @fflbehaviorteam #Adoptable Julio got to go on a field trip with a volunteer this morning, yay Juli! 💞#behaviorenrichment #adopt #happydog #adoptabledog
                                                                                                                                      #Adoptable Callie is known for her love of toys, f #Adoptable Callie is known for her love of toys, floofy-ness, and overall awesomeness. She knows she’s pretty awesome so she doesn’t like to share the spotlight with other dogs or cats, but we know she can’t wait to have a family to call her own! #BeUnsheltered
                                                                                                                                      In case you hadn't heard it yet today, here's your In case you hadn't heard it yet today, here's your daily reminder that you. are. awesome.
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We love you. × #FFLTribe
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#BeUnsheltered #BeKind ##BeAwesome🌈
                                                                                                                                      Misha is packaged and ready to go! All you need to Misha is packaged and ready to go! All you need to do is fill out the adoption form and put his name in it! >> Reposed from @_adoptmeplease_ Swipe 👉🏻 to see the step-by-step guide to “How to trap 2 cats 🐱🐱at home” 🏠  Very easy, useful, and affordable 🤣!  Please check out link in @_adoptmeplease_ bio if you are interested in adopting our handsome MISHA 😻  #cat #adoptable #adoptablecat #adoptablecathouston #adoptablecatshouston #houstonadoptablecat #houstonadoptablecats #catsofinstagram #felinefriends #adoptblackcats #adoptme #catstagram #catgram #adoptdontshop #adoptblackcats #catphotography #catlover #catloversclub #blackcatsareawesome
                                                                                                                                      Big thanks to @uhpvsa for giving our Julio a shout Big thanks to @uhpvsa for giving our Julio a shoutout! >> Meet Julio! This sweet boy needs to find his forever home. He was born in January of 2017, the first year of his life was rough. He was mishandled and showed obvious signs of stress and trauma. With a little tender love and care from @friends4life he’s completely bounced back. He loves to play, he loves other dogs, belly rubs, treats and love!  Make Julio a part of your family, and show him his life matters, you won’t regret it. If your interested click on this link and start the process to adding this adorable boy to your family! Feel free to DM us if your interested and have any further questions! https://friends4life.org/adoptable-pets/julio/. #sheltersundays #savealifeadopt #adoptdontshop🐾
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                                                                                                                                      Friends For Life Shelter

                                                                                                                                      Don Sanders Adoption Center
                                                                                                                                      107 E 22nd Street
                                                                                                                                      Houston, TX 77008

                                                                                                                                      713-863-9835

                                                                                                                                      Hours:
                                                                                                                                      Adoptions are still happening!
                                                                                                                                      We've transitioned to curbside
                                                                                                                                      services, so give us a call if
                                                                                                                                      you need something.

                                                                                                                                      Petsmart Cattery

                                                                                                                                      2902 S. Shepherd
                                                                                                                                      Houston, TX 77098

                                                                                                                                      Adoption Hours:
                                                                                                                                      Showcasing cats
                                                                                                                                      Saturdays, 12-5PM

                                                                                                                                      Join Our Newsletter

                                                                                                                                      Get updates on animals in their forever homes, FFL news, and where we'll be around Houston.
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                                                                                                                                      Email us at info@friends4life.org

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                                                                                                                                      © 2021 Friends For Life Animal Shelter. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit. | Website by Road Warrior Creative

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