Arizona Friends for Life began in 1993 – then known as Citizens for Tempe Strays. Within two years our organization had a solid volunteer base, a dedicated board of directors, and was handling hundreds of adoptions per year.

The growth and success prompted the name change to Friends for Life Animal Sanctuary – a name that better described our organization, since we make a lifetime commitment to the animals (animals adopted must be returned to us if for any reason the adoptive environment is not working out, and all microchips list Friends for Life as the primary contact in the event the animal is lost, or surrendered at another facility).

In 1996, after only three short years, Friends for Life was able to lease three buildings in downtown Gilbert – a place that animals call “home” until they find a family of their very own.

In 2010, after re-evaluating our priority of rescue and adoption, and not being a sanctuary facility, Friends for Life Animal Sanctuary changed our name to Friends for Life Animal Rescue. In 2013, Friends for Life was able to purchase all three buildings, so all of our adopted animals are now guaranteed to always have a home to come back to!

In 2017, we broke ground on a brand new facility, designed specifically for the animals and volunteers. We moved into our new “home” in February of 2018.

Friends for Life Animal Rescue is dedicated to the homeless and stray animals in our community. These animals do not have an advocate and will likely suffer starvation, illness, or injury as they try to survive alone. Animals on the street are often unaltered, reproducing and creating even more unwanted animals. Friends for Life prefers to get to the source of the problem through spaying and neutering all animals we take in, and educating the public about the importance of altering their animals.

Friends for Life's Casino Night 2025

Celebrate 32 years of animal rescue with us - TEXAS Hold 'em style!