Friends For Life Timeline

Executive Director Salise Shuttlesworth founded Friends For Life to offer a No Kill alternative to the traditionally run shelter facilities in Houston.

• June 2002: Friends For Life incorporates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

• 2002-2004: Key FFL directors and Executive Director research best shelter practices traveling to Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah and consulting with No Kill shelter leaders.

• 2004: Becomes the PetSmart adoption organization in residence at the Shepherd Drive PetSmart.

• 2005: Leads post-Katrina rescue missions to New Orleans, Lake Charles and Pass Christian, Mississippi and treated hundreds of animals free of charge in FFL mobile vet clinics.

• 2008:Becomes the first endowed No Kill shelter in Houston.

• 2009:Opens a 3,000 square foot No Kill animal shelter in the Houston Heights.

• June 2010:Nets $700,000 in the most successful Gala in Houston history.

• August 2010:26-foot mobile adoption vehicle custom built for FFL debuts.

• April 2011:Purchases property for completion of new LEED-certified, green No Kill animal shelter.

• June 2011:Number of adoptions year-to-date more than doubles.

• September 2011:Sends re-purposed mobile adoption vehicle to provide free veterinary services to victims of Bastrop wildfires.

• June 2012:The Don Sanders Adoption Center, the only LEED-certified No Kill animal shelter in Texas is opened!