About Us

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Thank you for your interest in Friends for Life, Inc! FFL is a no-kill, non-profit sanctuary for dogs and cats in southeastern West Virginia that has been accepting abandoned and no-longer-wanted dogs and cats since 1996. We incorporated as Friends for Life in January 2000 and received non-profit, tax-exempt status (501c3) from the IRS in November 2007, so we’re able to provide a tax receipt for any amount donated, or for items donated. FFL is on private property and visiting or meeting the animals is by appointment only. 

Friends for Life, Inc. is not affiliated with any other organization or shelter, or any other Friends for Life organization. FFL receives NO local, state, or federal funding and relies solely on contributions from individuals like yourself. We are a care-for-life, or no-kill, sanctuary; there is no time limit for any animal. Each animal that we accept is wormed, vaccinated, and neutered/spayed. In addition, any needed veterinary care, including tests, treatments (including laser and acupuncture), x-rays, ultrasound, medications, and surgery, is provided during the time the animal is with us.  We are completely committed to each animal for its entire lifetime if it is not adopted, and many have been here their whole lives. 

Currently, FFL cares for 12 dogs, mostly seniors from 8 to 16 years of age: Sierra, Sheba, DukeDuke, Fannie, Maxx, Parker, Skip, Oscar, Smokey, and Rascal; two 3-year-olds: Cordel and Trixie; and 8 cats between 2 and 5 years: Minnie, Kallee, Lulu, Julius, Holly, M’yagi, Andy Panda, and Amelia.

Friends for Life’s SPONSOR PROGRAM 

Depending on the number of animals needing veterinary care, FFL needs about $1500 each month for veterinary care and food. Individual sponsorship is $25 per month (or more if the individual chooses). There is no form to sign, simply let us know by email or a note with your check that you are becoming a sponsor. Sponsor contributions may be paid monthly, quarterly, every six months, etc. - whatever is easiest for the sponsor. Please remember, though, that once you start sending regular donations, WE DEPEND ON YOUR SPONSORSHIP. If you can no longer be a sponsor, please be kind and let us know. An individual may also make a one-time contribution of any amount at any time. A person may also sponsor more expensive procedures for a particular animal, such as a blood workup (to check liver, kidney, and thyroid function), a dental, x-rays, ultrasound, or surgery. All donations are tax-deductible and FFL will send a tax receipt for the amount contributed at the end of the year.  All monetary donations provide care for all of the animals, unless the amount donated is for a particular procedure for a particular animal.

FFL has no overhead except for the kennel electric bill. There are NO paid employees. Every cent donated goes for the care of the animals. Veterinary care is our biggest expense, followed by food, and supplements like Cosequin, OsteoTabs, and Omega TruBenefits (fish oil supplement), which are all for joints; and Thorvin, a kelp supplement that provides trace minerals. All of the dogs get Thorvin daily and one or more of the joint supplements.

If you'd like to contribute or become a faithful sponsor, please use the Donate button for your convenience, or donations may be mailed to: Friends for Life, Inc., 1754 Bunger's Mill Road, Lewisburg, WV 24901. We need more sponsors to help care for our aging companions. Thank you very, very much for your help!

THANK YOU

The veterinarians and staff of Greenbrier Veterinary Hospital have been caring for FFL’s animals for the past 21 years, and we are grateful for their compassion, expertise, generosity, and patience. Thank you to Dr Cindy Lightner, Dr Donna Piercy, Dr Sue Mohler, Dr Rebecca Baum, and most recently Dr Rush Holt, and all the staff for your kindness.

FFL’s WISH LIST 

WALMART or KROGER Gift Cards for peanut butter (the dogs love it in a Kong with a little dry kibble after meals), and XL pee pads- 26” x 30” (FFL uses lots of pee pads!)

TRACTOR SUPPLY Gift Cards- We use 4Health canned dog and cat food (no dyes, corn, or wheat) and Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream grain-free dry dog food. These products are only sold through Tractor Supply in our area.

CHEWY.com Gift Cards for cat litter, Cosequin, pee pads, dog beds, and cat and dog toys

Monetary contributions to help with veterinary care and the kennel electric bill. 

ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. WE WILL SEND A TAX RECEIPT TO YOU.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO DONATE A FLEECE PAD…

We do not need Kuranda beds, thanks to a very generous donation in 2011 from the Bissell Foundation but FFL can always use double-sided fleece pads from Kuranda. These are great because they have the loops on the corners that fit over the legs of the Kuranda beds and hold the pad on. If you click on the link below, it will take you to our Kuranda site and show you our Wish List. The pads we need are medium and large. If you donate a pad for FFL from the Kuranda site, it will be shipped directly to us, and we'll receive an email with your name and address that you've donated an item. If requested, we're happy to send a tax receipt.

THANK YOU, BISSELL FOUNDATION! 

In December 2011 we received an overwhelming donation from The Bissell Foundation of 20 Kuranda beds- one for each dog in our kennel building at that time, an 8-tier bed for the cats, plus a soft, cozy fleece pad for each dog and cat bed! The foundation also donated several dozen interactive toys for dogs and cats, plus treats to fill them with. The dogs and cats loved the beds, and the toys kept them busy!  Maxx, a brindle Pit Bull, used his Kuranda bed as a trampoline at meal time for quite a while. That's a lotta bouncing twice a day, every day! Those beds are tough! 

NOTE: BISSELL has ongoing programs that benefit shelter animals, so support shelter animals and Bissell’s efforts and BUY BISSELL PRODUCTS FOR YOUR HOME.

FYI

CORN IS THE NUMBER ONE GMO FOOD produced now, with SOY coming in second. Corn is in so much of the pet foods, even some of the expensive ones, so read those labels! We don't want to feed any corn, soy, or wheat as long as we can help it. And watch out for ADDED COLOR, another baddie! These dyes, especially the FD&C red, may cause hyperactivity and allergies (itching, hair loss) in dogs, and urinary blockage in male cats. Corn and wheat are two big culprits for itchy skin, chronic ear infections, and bloating and gas. If your dog licks its paws a lot and/or scratches at its ears, that may be the first sign of a food allergy. Chronic scratching can lead to a secondary bacterial infection (a stinky "doggy" smell is NOT normal!) that requires treatment from your vet. Chronic ear infections and stinky ears are signs that you need to change your pet's food, or your pet will have to be given a steroid and antibiotic several times a year for the rest of its life. It’s been said that it isn't the grain that the animal is allergic to, it's the protein source. However, corn and wheat are generally the protein sources in cheap pet food, so try to "step up" to better-quality food. If your dog has chronic skin problems, chronic ear infections, is hyperactive, or your neutered male cat has chronic urinary problems, see your vet and do what your vet recommends in the way of medications, but also please try weaning over to a brand that has NO corn, NO wheat, and NO soy, and NO added color, or try grain-free. Wean slowly to the new food and be patient. It may take a couple months or more to clear the system and see improvement, but you may be surprised at the results. You may not have to use steroids and antibiotics again.