#30 in United States, #2 in Texas, #1 in Houston
107 E 22nd StreetHouston, TX 77008
"We adopted our dog Rocket - FKA Wyatt - from friends for life mid-covid and loved the experience. We were originally thinking about another dog at their shelter and FFL was honest about some.of the challenges we might have with that dog and ended up decided it was best with another family. I appreciated their commitment to finding the best home for each dog. We had the 7 day "trial" period with our now dog and really appreciated having that time to make sure he would work with our family. On the first day of the trial we noticed our dog had an infected cyst on his neck and FFL was quick to help us get it taken care of. Couldn't have asked for a better experience or dog to have joined our family."
— lauren r.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
"They had a plan in place to help animals stay with their people at our big convention center after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston. People lost their homes in flooding but were able to save, stay with, and keep their pets safe during the natural disaster and during the following weeks. They also have a pet food bank and help the community with vaccines for their pets."
— jennifer t.
Adoptee, Supporter
"Friends for Life has the most amazing specialty programs of behavior modification that they utilized to make animals who have been deemed "unadoptable", adoptable. Their community outreach not only to residents, but to other shelters is unsurpassed. They maintain a community pet food pantry , hold numerous free health clinics and assist other shelters set up specialized programs. Friends for Life developed the model program used in multiple areas experiencing disasters allowing pets to remain with their humans during this trying time. Multiple staff and volunteers have attained behavior certifications & education for working with both cats and dogs. Friends for Life is a phenomenal program that majorly impacts the lives of animals, humans and our community positively."
— ruth k.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter
"The shelter and the volunteers do so much for the dogs. Truly. My brother volunteers at the shelter, and when I visit him I get to experience the joys of fostering. The quirky attitudes of all the dogs. I hear stories about the crazy dogs, the sweet dogs, energetic dogs, and the silly dogs. They try their best to give the dogs the best life they can. The volunteers are super sweet people. This shelter is an amazing part of the Houston community. Pierce was one of the foster dogs I had met. I was able to meet Pierce. What a sweet loving dog. He passed away from cancer, but this dog will greet you like you’re his best friend every time you enter the door. He never missed a cuddle session. He truly will be a light lost in the world. He was just so happy to be a part of everything. He followed us all around the house. He was a little shadow. Because the shelter took him in when they did, he had the best life the little guy could have lived with cancer. They helped ease his pain as much as they could. Pierce will forever be missed."
— megan w.
Supporter
"Best shelter that is making the most difference. The way they approach animal rescue is amazing! Prevention, education, volunteers, behavior programs, outreach, disaster relief and the list can go on and on."
— ura k.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"Wonderful caring rescue."
— joan a.
Volunteer / foster
"Friends For Life Animal Shelter holds a special place in my heart. It isn't just a shelter; it's a beacon of hope for animals in need. Their unwavering commitment has had a profound impact on the lives of countless animals. The dedication of the staff at Friends For Life Animal Shelter is apparent. Their expertise extends beyond basic care; they're adept at behavioral assessments, rehabilitation techniques, and implementing enrichment programs to ensure the well-being of every animal in their care. Moreover, their adoption process is thorough and comprehensive. They go above and beyond to match pets with adopters, ensuring that both the animals and their new families are well-suited for one another. This meticulous approach helps to ensure that pets and adopters have truly found their friends for life. Thanks to Friends For Life, countless animals have been given a second chance at life, and I'm forever grateful for their tireless efforts!"
— julie y.
Volunteer / foster
"We have fostered so many dogs for FFL. They give you everything you need: food, medical care, toys, beds, equipment … It’s such a rewarding experience knowing that sharing your home with a sweet dog for a short time can same lives!"
— perry t.
Volunteer / foster
"This is an amazing shelter because their animals live in foster homes and any animals living in the shelter spend so much time training and socializing with staff, so they know them so much better than places where most animals are in kennels."
— gryphon t.
Supporter, Fan
"I got my two dogs from FFL! They are the best!"
— matt t.
Adoptee
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.