Founded in June 2026, First Mate Dog Rescue is a foster-based, volunteer-run dog rescue located in Wilmington, North Carolina. Our mission is simple: to save dogs from high-kill shelters across the Carolinas and help them find the loving, forever homes they deserve.

At First Mate, every dog is part of the crew. Rather than living in a shelter facility, all of our dogs are placed in loving foster homes throughout Wilmington and the surrounding communities. This allows us to get to know each dog's unique personality, helping us make the best possible match with their future family.

We are proud to be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Every adoption, every life saved, and every happy ending is made possible through the generosity of our supporters and the incredible dedication of our volunteers. We do not receive government funding and rely entirely on donations and the hard work of our volunteer crew to keep our mission afloat.

Whether a dog needs a safe harbor, a second chance, or simply someone willing to be their first mate through life's adventures, we're committed to helping them navigate their way home. Our goal is to save as many dogs as we safely and responsibly can while ensuring every dog receives the care, training, and love they deserve along the way.

While our foster homes are located in Wilmington and surrounding communities, we welcome adoption applications from throughout North Carolina and from out of state (additional adoption fee applies for out-of-state adoptions).

Thank you for supporting our mission and believing that every dog deserves a chance to drop anchor in a loving home. We hope to hear from you soon—and together, let's help more dogs find their forever crew.