My name is Mercedes!

Almost all of our cats and kittens are raised to be indoor-only animals, although if we do take in an animal that has been indoor-outdoor and shows strong desire for that to continue, we will allow that in the placement. Indoor-only homes lead to safer and healthier cats/kittens who live longer lives. What they don't know they don't miss, and window-watching and stimulating toys and fully enrich their lives indoors.

Nearly all of our available animals are cats, as we have one part-time dog foster. We may do one batch of puppies a year.

Our adoption process is fairly simply: we talk to the potential adopters to try to determine a good fit between the adopter and the animal - for example, making sure a talkative cat goes to someone who wants a talkative cat, a lap cat is matched with someone who wants that trait, etc. We strive to make matches that keep both people and animals happy.

Once a match is met and approved (a process which generally doesn't take long), there are several forms to complete (adoption application with lots more questions, adoption contract, microchip transfer form, etc).

Animals are generally ready to go home the same day with some exceptions. Adoption fees are generally posted in each animal's biography and are to be paid in cash.

https://www.friendsforliferescue.org/info/adoption

Regular adoption outreach events are held at the Mount Vernon Petco store from 11am to 3 pm.

We also have a permanent condo in the store where a cat or kitten is typically available to meet at any time during store hours; adoptions from this condo are NOT handled by store employees (although they can open the cage and show the animals), but adoption counselors can generally be reached for same-day adoptions.

Additional showings and/or adoptions are often able to be scheduled through the foster parent, so use the contact numbers in the pet's biography. We try to be accommodating, especially since we do a number of adoptions to people from outside the Skagit Valley area, including Canada and the San Juan Islands.

The Mount Vernon Petco store is off I-5 exit #227.

Friends for Life Animal Rescue was founded in 2009. We are an approved 501(c)3 nonprofit group.

We are individuals who have come together with the belief that cats are more than property to toss out when inconvenient or leave behind when moving.

Most fosters have more than 5 years of fostering, with several having been involved in formal animal rescue for more than 10 years. Among our fosters are our vet, two vet techs, and two vet receptionists. One of our group's specialties is in neonatal or orphaned kitten care.

We strive to halt the repopulation cycle by spaying or neutering all animals BEFORE they are available for adoption - no vouchers or arrangements left for the new family to handle.

We believe that animals do better when in more home-like settings, with lower stress and fewer health issues as well as socialization and really getting to know the animal's characteristics, likes (chocolate milkshakes), and dislikes (fizzy stuff!).

We are all volunteer and have no central facility so that any fund we do obtain are used almost totally on the animals in our care and toward adopting them into loving forever homes.