Tuesday, October 12, 2004 11:29 AM EDT

If you've ever had a stressful day at work and come home to the love of your pet then you've felt the support and companionship of an animal. They enhance lives with an endless source of amusement and wonderful memories. Dogs and cats can also add years to one's life.

Visiting the annual Furkids Animal Rescue Yard Sale this Saturday and Sunday will help bring more pets in contact with new owners.

All of the yard sale's proceeds will benefit Furkids, a non-profit no-kill animal shelter devoted to finding homes for animals in need. They rely on the help of Dunwoody volunteers and donations from generous benefactors such as the Animal Hospital of Sandy Springs and Cat Clinic of Roswell.

Samantha Shelton, founder of Furkids said the main goal of this organization, which she funded though her own personal savings, is to provide for the animals of Atlanta.

"Our mission is to provide and maintain a no-kill haven for homeless, abused or abandoned cats until placing them in permanent loving homes. We promote public awareness regarding the value of pets, animal welfare, pet overpopulation, and quality human-animal companionship."

Shelton said that all of the proceeds for the Furkids Animal Rescue Yard Sale will go directly to helping animals in need. And Furkids has many goals for the future which will be funded through programs such as these. She explains that Furkids would eventually like to open a brand new cage-free facility.