Caring Causes: Friends for Life No-Kill Shelter

Houston's fastest-growing animal shelter and the city's only No-Kill shelter, Friends For Life Animal Shelter and Sanctuary, offers numerous ways to accomplish all your holiday gift giving while also benefiting animals in need.

Here's how to help:

• Give the gift of a donation in someone's honor by purchasing a limited edition dog or cat ugly sweater card! These cards help the shelter provide essential food, medication and spay/neuter surgeries for the animals as they find their forever homes. Friends For Life can mail the card to the recipient of your choice or mail it directly to you. The cards can also be picked up at the shelter during business hours. (107 East 22nd Street in Houston; Tuesday-Saturday, 12-6 p.m.; Sunday, 12-5 p.m.)  Each 5x7 card is blank on the inside with a description on the back and includes an envelope.

• Looking for the perfect ugly sweater this holiday season? Purchase a limited edition Friends For Life ugly sweater t-shirt and all proceeds will benefit the animals at Friends For Life. The shelter can mail the t-shirt to the recipient of your choice or mail it directly to you. Like the cards, the t-shirts can also be picked up at the shelter.

• Spread the word about Friends For Life and show your support of No Kill with one of the shelter's "every animal matters” t-shirts. All proceeds benefit the ongoing life-saving programs at Friends For Life.

• Text #FFLARMY to 243725 to donate through our Text2Give campaign.

• Visit the online wish list

To purchase t-shirts and ugly sweater cards or to make a donation, please visit http://custompromostore.com/friends4life/ or https://www.facebook.com/FriendsForLifeHouston/shop/?rt=19. Cards and t-shirts will be available while supplies last.

Executive Director Salise Shuttlesworth founded Friends For Life in 2002 to offer a No-Kill alternative to traditionally run shelters in the Houston area. Friends For Life's ongoing efforts provide adoption services, rescue and rehabilitation, and support for frustrated pet owners struggling with behavioral and other concerns.