Jodi is estimated to be about 2 years old. She’s a blend of some kind, and appears to possibly be part Spitz or Chow. Weighing approximately 35 pounds, she’s on the smaller side.

Jodi is estimated to be about 2 years old. She’s a blend of some kind, and appears to possibly be part Spitz or Chow. Weighing approximately 35 pounds, she’s on the smaller side.

Bandit is a male terrier mix, about 30 pounds and 3 years old.

Let Figarro be your family’s next feline friend!

Karma is a domestic short-haired buff and white large male kitty.

Gilbert’s Friends for Life Animal Rescue will host its annual fundraising dinner and silent auction March 2 at The Buttes resort in Tempe.

Found on freeway, Firebird fit for a new home

The photographs don’t do this handsome, short-haired, black-and-white adult male justice.

Gilbert is having its 11th annual Pet Food and Supply Drive to help homeless pets as they await adoption into permanent homes.

Fergie, a 7-year-old female Labrador retriever mix, deserves some royal treatment after being found thin and beaten up. She has thankfully recovered and is in good condition at Gilbert’s Arizona Friends for Life animal rescue, where she waits for someone to adopt her and give her a loving home.

If you’re looking for a pet with a take-charge personality, then Jeremy is your man. At 6 years old, this large domestic long-haired silver mix cat likes nothing better than to perch regally atop the cat tree so he can supervise the room. The folks at Arizona Friends for Life say Jeremy was adopted some time ago, but returned to the shelter due to a family situation.

You wouldn’t know it by looking at her now, but Mini was once roughing it on the streets as a stray. This domestic short-haired young adult cat was trapped at a feral feeding station even though she is obviously not feral. Then, as soon as she was rescued, she gave birth to four kittens. After a stay in a foster home, Mini’s kittens found homes, but Mini herself is still waiting for someone to make her a member of the family.

Riley, a male medium-sized mixed breed dog, was one of the stars of the recent Gilbert Days Parade, where he “sang,” acted cute, and cuddled with the volunteers from Friends for Life. He’s come a long way since being rescued from a reservation in northern Arizona where he was starving and suffering from tick fever. About 1 or 2 years old, he is proving himself to be full of personality, the folks at Friends for Life say.

Chandra is a beautiful, young adult, gray Tabby cat. She can be shy when she meets new people, but when she warms up she’ll meow and want to be pet and loves having her face scratched. Chandra also stands up on her hind legs to ensure you’re scratching her head just in the right spot. In addition to enjoying her people time, she also enjoys quiet time looking out the window or catching some sun streaming in from the window. Chandra also has her kittenish moods for play time with kitty wants and cat toys. She is litter-box trained and uses her scratching post. Chandra is Felv/FIV tested negative, altered, microchipped, and up to date on her vaccinations.

Chandra, a beautiful, young adult, gray tabby cat, can be shy when she meets new people. But pet her and give her some head scratches, and she’ll warm up and meow. According to the folks at Arizona Friends for Life, she’ll even stand up on her hind legs to ensure you’re scratching her head in just the right spot.

Boomer is a male Cattledog mix, about 12 years old. He was adopted many years ago from Friends for Life but unfortunately, due to a divorce in his family, he finds himself again searching for a forever home. Boomer is a sweet, gentle guy. He has a very waggily tail and enjoys spending time with his people. Boomer does not, however, like sharing his life with cats. He thinks cats are there for him to chase, and yes at 12 years old he still has the energy to chase cats. Boomer would love to find a family that offers him a warm cozy bed, short walks, car rides, and LOTS of love. Boomer’s adoption fee has been waived. Friends for Life is just asking for a donation (of any amount) to help cover the cost of his check-up that he received upon his return to the shelter. Boomer is neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.

Divorce affects every member of the family — even the pets. Such is the case with Boomer, a 12-year-old male cattledog mix who was adopted many years ago, but is now homeless due to a divorce in the family. The folks from Friends for Life animal rescue say Boomer is a sweet, gentle guy with a very waggily tail. He loves being with people, but does not like cats. He thinks cats are there simply for him to chase.

Contessa, “Tessa” for short, is a gorgeous girl, about 1 year old. She’s experiencing things now she should have experienced when she was a puppy. Poor Tessa was a “backyard” dog so instead of being part of the family she was left on her own. She is very happy to see and be with people. Tessa is a smart girl so would benefit from an owner familiar with her breed and willing to keep her busy with training, play time, walks, and car rides. Tessa would do best in a home with no young children as she’s young, large, and still learning. Tessa is spayed, microchipped, and up to date on vaccinations. She lives at Friends for Life’s adoption center located in downtown Gilbert.

One-year-old Contessa, “Tessa” for short, is experiencing things now she should have experienced when she was a puppy. But as a pup, Tessa lived in the backyard instead of being part of a family. As a result, she now needs the training she should have had from the beginning.

Butterfly is an absolute sweetheart of a dog. She’s an adult American Bulldog mix found as a stray with an existing skin condition, which appeared to be allergies left untreated that left some spots without hair. Butterfly loves to play with toys, prefers larger dogs to smaller ones, and just loves people.

Many of us have attended or at least heard of the popular fall celebration, Octoberfest.

Butterfly, described by Arizona Friends for Life as "an absolute sweetheart of a dog," needs a special, loving home while she recovers from tick fever. This adult American bulldog mix was also suffering from a skin condition and untreated allergies when she was found as a stray.

Yeagermin’s story is bittersweet. About 9 years ago she was rescued as a 2-week-old bottle feeder, then given proper care until she was old enough to be spayed. She got adopted and we thought lived happily ever after.

Like too many pets in the Valley, Mischief, a 6-year-old rottie/hound mix, is a victim of the economy and housing crisis. He was adopted as a puppy six years ago – at the time, his name was “Ian” – but was returned to Friends for Life animal rescue in August when his family lost their home. Sad and confused, this big, but gentle dog needs to live in a home again instead of an animal shelter.