Friends for Life Inc.
Friends for Life, Inc. is now non-profit! We received our 501(c)(3)status from the IRS in November 2007. All donations are now tax-deductible! Also, please read below (MORE-RECENT IMPROVEMENTS) for the progress of our new building!
GOOD HEALTH, HAPPY SMILES! August 3, 2008: We are still hoping for donations to have dentals and basic bloodwork done on our senior animals. Gum and teeth problems are just as unhealthy for our companion animals as they are for us. Our seniors need this blood screening (called "pre-surgical screening") to see if the liver and kidneys are functioning normally. If so, then the animal can have the dental done. If caught early on, kidney function can absolutely be treated with diet and can improve the animal's quality of life. Our veterinarians have agreed to do the blood panel AND complete dental for a reduced cost of $150 per animal. If you'd like to sponsor a senior for a dental procedure, or contribute any amount at all, please send your contribution to the address at the bottom of our page here and note that it is for a blood panel/dental. All contributions are tax-deductible. For the continuing good health of our seniors, we thank you for your help!
Friends for Life began in 1996 and incorporated in January 2000. We are a care-for-life (or no-kill) sanctuary; there is no time limit for any animal. Friends for Life, Inc. is not affiliated with any other organization or shelter, or any other Friends for Life organization. We receive NO local, state, or federal funding and rely solely on contributions from individuals (please see our Sponsor Program below). Each animal that we accept is wormed, vaccinated, neutered/spayed if unaltered, and any needed veterinary care, including tests, treatment, and surgery, is provided during the time the animal is with us.
We are very grateful to work with extremely kind and generous veterinarians, without whom we would not be able to give our animals the care they need. Sincere thanks go to the doctors and staff of Greenbrier Veterinary Hospital; they've worked with Friends for Life for a long time and are extremely good to us. Thanks also go to Patrick McHale, DVM of Seneca Trail Animal Hospital, whose generosity enabled FFL to have all of our dogs (and one cat) vaccinated for rabies in June. Sabrina Dowdy, DVM, also of Seneca Trail Animal Hospital, came out and spent two hours giving all those rabies shots-- Thanks, Dr. Dowdy! Special thanks also go to Sari Schaffer, Homeopath, far away in MA, who has been helping our animals by doing phone consults and emails with our president. FFL has been using homeopathic remedies since July of 2007 and we're "hooked"-- it is fascinating and truly amazing!
SPONSOR PROGRAM: Seventy per cent (70%) of our dogs are seniors -- at least eight years old-- and many are ten years old or in their 'teens. Their chances of adoption are slim to non-existent. If you are not able to fit an older dog into your life but are drawn to a particular face, perhaps you'd like to sponsor that animal. Sponsoring requires a commitment of $25 per month. This can be paid by the month, every six months, or one amount sent for the entire year-- whatever is easiest for the sponsor. We provide a sponsor with a 5x7 photo of the particular animal chosen and its history. We are extremely grateful for our faithful sponsors- they keep us going from month to month!
Friends for Life is thankful for the kindness and generosity of people like you who enable us to continue to help our companions. Below are some things we REALLY REALLY NEED:
DOG WALKERS! You don't have to be a trainer-- the dogs just need exercise and one-on-one time. We can provide "slow, medium, or fast" dogs to suit the walker. Please call to arrange a time;
DOG WASHERS! Now that the building is finished, we have a "bathing stall", which is so much nicer than a tub: No lifting! We can just walk the dog in and out. Please call if you'd like to help;
FLEA TREATMENT: Advantage, Revolution, etc. (we no longer use Frontline). This is our largest monthly expense after food, and costs almost $300 per month;
CANNED MACKEREL or SALMON- This is part of the diet we like to feed our cats (when we can afford it);
KONG TOYS with the hollow center so you can put kibble or other small treats inside;
BLANKETS AND TOWELS
DOG FOOD: Pedigree Adult (Small Crunchy Bites only), Purina One (any type), Iams canned puppy food (yellow can);
CAT FOOD: Purina One (any type), Maxximum Nutrition (Regular or Indoor Formula);
KITTY BEDS- For the cats and small dogs, who also love curling up in these cozy round beds;
CRATES AND CARRIERS: Medium and Large
If you are able to donate any of these items and would like to mail them to FFL, our address is P.O. Box 1351, Lewisburg, WV 24901. If you're local we'll be happy to pick up. Thank you!
RECENT IMPROVEMENTS
In March of 2007, we enlarged two separate areas so that the dogs have more space to play, run, and just "have a ball". More than a few of our dogs are large and long-legged, and it was a joy to watch them really stretch their legs and hit "top speed" the first time we opened these areas! The best part is that these improvements didn't cost a dime, only a couple afternoons of time and effort from several people. (Thank you to Steve, Ben, Luke, and Jesse!) We also added a perimeter fence around the lower kennels later in the summer of 2007 so that those dogs could be let out to run around the area and play.
MORE-RECENT IMPROVEMENTS: We began excavation on March 24th, '08 for a 20x40-foot building that will house up to 36 dogs, with 9 runs on each side. Each run will have its own outdoor run also, plus there will be larger areas for groups of dogs to exercise and interact. We'll keep our home page updated as things progress. If you'd like to make a contribution to help with the cost of this dream (we'd REALLY appreciate contributions!) or help in any way, or would like more information, please call or email FFL. UPDATE: April 25th: The roof is on, the siding is on, the windows and the ventilation fan are in, and the electricians got most of the wiring done today! Our contractor told us that the county building inspector said it was a "shame that the best block job I've seen in Greenbrier County is for a dog kennel.......", which of course is a wonderful compliment! Thanks to Baker and Baker Masonry (brothers Toby and Randolph) for doing such a great job! They've been laying block for over 34 years in the Greenbrier County area. Thanks also to Sampson General Contracting: Contractor James Sampson, Earl Nida, Rick Gill, Greg Sampson, and Chris McNeely. They've been here every day except for a couple of rainy days. EM Electric- Earl Morgan, Travis Bennett, and Stanley Harrah- did all the wiring, and Phil Halstead is doing the excavation work and will finish leveling off, dig the ditch for the power line, etc. this coming week. Appreciation also goes to Bill Snyder of RBS, Inc. in Caldwell, and to Janet Goodwin of S.J. Neathawk Lumber in Lewisburg for their generosity to Friends for Life. UPDATE MAY 2nd: Phil's got his backhoe here today and is digging the ditch for the power and water lines. The OSB board was spray-painted yesterday and the second coat will go on either this afternoon or tomorrow. UPDATE: May 8th: The crew is finished and the building is completed! The power was inspected and turned on by the power company May 6th, and the fans and lights are all working. NOW we're looking for someone to build the kennels inside and the runs outside. UPDATE MAY 17th: Due to days of rain (and the resulting mud!), Phil wasn't able to get back until today to finish smoothing out, moving gravel, and "dressing up." We were surprised to see him on a Saturday, but he said that since more rain was expected, he thought he'd best get as much done while he could. Thanks, Phil!
We'll have an Open House at some point in the future, after the kennels are in (and the dogs, too!), so watch for the date. In the meantime, please come and help us wash and walk dogs! Call first to arrange a time. THANK YOU!
Goodbyes 2008: "I know there can no Heaven be if my pets aren't there to welcome me..." (Anonymous) We sadly said goodbye to the following companions, who have left us and taken a little bit of our hearts with them:
Jewel, golden retriever mix female, 13 years, on January 5th, spinal paralysis;
Candy, Chow mix female, 15 years, on January 18th, cancer;
Tigger Two, orange striped male domestic shorthair, 8 years, on April 27th, possible FIP;
Boose-Boose, orange-stripe-with-white male domestic shorthair, 8 years, on June 12th, possible FIP;
Punkin, Jack Russel/Beagle mix female, 15 years plus, on July 23rd, cancer;
Brownie, Dachsie/Chihuahua mix female, 14 years, on July 25th, renal failure;
Marley, Aussie mix male, 14 years, on August 8th, cancer (Marley had been with us since he was under a year);
Big Mac(the Halloween Cat), black male domestic shorthair, 8 years plus, on August 8th, cancer/heart failure;
Sara Beth, black Lab mix female, 16 years plus, on August 22nd, cancer. Each has left a hole at FFL and will always be remembered.
Adopting a friend
If you're interested in adopting one of our companions, please email us at the address at the bottom of this page, or call us at 304 667-1387.
Come Visit Us!
Friends for Life is located in Greenbrier County in southeastern WV. We are not a public shelter and welcome visits by appointment only. Interested persons may view dogs for adoption only AFTER being approved for adoption. This process includes a telephone interview, or possible home visit and interview if the interested party is close enough, and veterinary reference check. Please email us or call us at 304 667-1387 to inquire about adopting. FFL's mailing address is P.O. Box 1351, Lewisburg, WV 24901.
Friends for Life Inc.
P.O. Box 1351, Lewisburg, WV 24901
Phone: 304 667-1387
Email:
wvcompanions@yahoo.com
Click here for a list of pets at this shelter
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