FFF was the culmination of a lifetime of a love for animals by the founder, her family, friends and fellow animal lovers. It received 501c3 status .as of August 9, 2001. The name "Friends of the Formerly Friendless” was chosen as both a recognition of the myriad of friendless animals in our communities, many of them underserved, and chosen as an embodiment of our commitment to those animals in our care that would not be "friendless" again.