First Mate Dog Rescue

11/01/2026

Carmela (now Mabel!) and Fiona both made it to their furever homes this weekend!

Have the best lives, pupperonis! 🩷⚓️🐾

10/30/2026

Come see us on SATURDAY at Unleashed of Wilmington !!!

🎃 NO TRICKS, JUST TREATS & FOREVER MEETS! 👻🐾

📅 October 31st | 12–3 PM
📍 Unleashed of Wilmington
1319 Military Cutoff Rd, Wilmington

This Halloween, some pretty incredible pups are hoping the biggest treat of all is waiting for them… a forever home. 🖤

Join First Mate Dog Rescue + Unleashed for our HOWL-O-WEEN Adoption Event! Our adoptable pups will be outside and front and center, ready for belly rubs, kisses, and hopefully a few love-at-first-fright connections. Whether you’re looking for a snuggle buddy, adventure partner, professional couch warmer, or four-legged best friend, come meet these boo-tiful pups and see if your forever first mate is waiting for you! 👻🐾

⚓️ DONATION DRIVE

Grab something from our favorites while shopping at Unleashed or bring something from anywhere! We happily accept:

🐾 Dry or wet dog food — any brand
🐾 Leashes & collars
🐾 Monetary donations

🎃 HEAD INSIDE FOR UNLEASHED’S HALLOWEEN PAWTY!

They’ll have a dog costume contest, door prizes, carnival games, treats & more Halloween fun!

👻 GET A SPOOKY KEEPSAKE OF YOUR PET!

will be creating custom pet caricatures — traditional or Halloween-themed! Your pet doesn’t have to be there; a clear photo works perfectly. Dogs, cats, horses, lizards, fish… if you love them, she can draw them!

A portion of every caricature purchased will be donated back to First Mate Dog Rescue. 🤍

Grab your pup, throw on a costume and come celebrate Halloween with us. You might come for the treats and leave having met the little boo who steals your heart. 👻🐾⚓️

10/30/2026

🐾 MEET DANNY! 🐾

Hey everyone, I'm Danny! I'm a 20 lb handsome little guy born around 7/15/26. My breed mix is anyone's guess, but the humans think I might have some Australian Cattle Dog/Heeler in me!

I'm a pretty laid-back puppy with a sweet, calm personality! My energy level is around a 3–4/10, and I'm perfectly happy entertaining myself with my favorite crinkly toys. Fetch and tug? Eh, not really my thing!

🐾 Crate training? I've got it down! I sleep peacefully in my crate at night and do great when my humans need to step out. No separation anxiety here!

🐾 Housebreaking? Still a work in progress, but I'm doing really well when my humans keep me on a consistent schedule.

🐾 Kids? I've spent time with kids ages 8 and 16 and have shown off my gentle, calm demeanor!

🐾 Other animals? I'm curious but cautious around cats, and I'd be perfectly content being your one and only pup!

🐾 Adventures? I'm an EXCELLENT car rider! I've tagged along to work, the beach, and even a brewery. I'm more of a people-watcher than a social butterfly, so I appreciate having my own space to take everything in.

🐾 Leash skills? I'm learning! I don't pull, but I'm very aware of noises and movement around me. A patient human who helps me build confidence would be wonderful!

I'm also quite food motivated, which should come in handy with training! We're currently working on learning "sit."

Now, let's talk about my forever home! ❤️

Even though I'm a mellow little guy, I'm still very much a PUPPY! That means teething, chewing, occasional accidents, and plenty of things I haven't learned yet. I'll need a family who understands that raising a puppy takes time, patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. I only know what you take the time to teach me!

I'll also need someone with a flexible schedule or the ability to provide several breaks throughout the day. I'm not quite ready to spend an entire workday alone or in a crate.

If you're looking for a sweet, easygoing little companion who enjoys adventures just as much as quiet time, I might be your guy!

❤️ Apply to adopt me at firstmaterescue.com

10/29/2026

‼️‼️‼️

📢 PSA: THE ANIMAL RESCUE WORLD IS DROWNING. 📢

Dauntless was created to help save animals facing euthanasia in local shelters. That is our mission. But every single day, we receive an overwhelming number of requests to take owner surrenders, found strays, unexpected litters, and animals people need temporarily housed.

With the holidays approaching, we know it’s only going to get worse.

WE CANNOT TAKE THEM ALL.

We are a 100% volunteer-run rescue. We don’t have endless foster homes, unlimited funds, or a building full of kennels. We have people sacrificing their time, homes, money, sleep, and emotional well-being to save lives.

🐾 Struggling financially? There are pet food pantries, low-cost spay/neuter programs, and organizations that may help with certain expenses. We will gladly share resources when we can. We’d rather help you keep your pet than see you surrender them.

🐾 Found a stray? Follow your county’s required stray-hold procedures. Contact local animal control or the shelter. Don’t assume a found animal is unwanted or hand it off to someone you think would make a good home. That animal may have a family desperately searching for them.

🐾 Need temporary boarding? We are not a boarding facility. Our foster homes and donations are reserved for animals who need rescue, medical care, and a chance at life.

And please understand this: WE ARE NOT THE ENEMY WHEN WE SAY NO.

Behind every rescue are real people already stretched beyond their limits. People managing medical emergencies, paying bills, caring for animals around the clock, and grieving the ones they couldn’t save.

We didn’t create the overpopulation crisis, and we cannot solve it alone.

When we say we are full, we mean it. When we say we cannot help, it doesn’t mean we don’t care. Caring doesn’t magically create more space, money, or foster homes.

Rescue cannot continue running on guilt, exhaustion, and the expectation that someone else will always step up.

Please spay and neuter your pets. Foster. Adopt. Donate. Volunteer. Share adoptable animals. Plan responsibly for the pets you bring into your life.

We are begging people to be part of the solution.

10/28/2026

A gold colored gal at golden hour 🌞

⚓️ WHEATIE IS READY TO FIND HER SAFE HARBOR! 🤍

Meet Wheatie! Around 4 years old & 84 lbs (her vet recommends losing about 5!). Breed guess? Probably a little of everything! Golden Retriever, Airedale Terrier...who knows?! 🥰

Wheatie is an incredibly devoted, affectionate girl who ADORES her people. She loves attention but isn't demanding, & her foster says she has the BIGGEST, happiest welcome-home reaction of any dog she's ever met! 🥹

🐾 Walks are her FAVORITE! She's a great walking companion, though she may pull initially out of excitement. She even sits patiently by the door while getting leashed up!

🐾 Housebreaking is going great! Just a few accidents during her first days in foster care.

🐾 No crate required! Wheatie does great left loose in the house. She also settles in a crate, though she's reluctant to go inside.

🐾 Low-to-moderate energy (4/10). She loves squeaky plush toys & relaxing near her people. At night, she sleeps on her dog bed beside her foster's bed.

🐾 Great with respectful dogs! She lives with her male foster brother, Mojo, & does wonderfully! She'd be happy with a canine companion or as the only dog.

🐾 Great car rider! She does well in public but can be nervous in new environments or hesitant meeting new people on walks. Patience & reassurance help!

🐾 Praise motivated! She also appreciates treats & toys!

🤍 Wheatie's ideal home: She could fit into a wide variety of homes! We recommend children 5+ with respectful dog manners & adults committed to maintaining appropriate boundaries for kids & dogs.

⚓️ A reminder about rescue dogs: A new home is a big adjustment! Initial uncertainty, changes in behavior or difficulty being alone can be normal. Patience, consistency & realistic expectations make all the difference.

Wheatie has so much love to offer & deserves a family who will give her the same devotion she gives them. 🤍

🐾 Ready to meet Wheatie? Apply via www.firstmaterescue.com

10/28/2026

Cassian is off the market - this cutie is ADOPTED!

10/27/2026

⚓️ AHOY, I'M MAX! 🐾

I'm Max, a 15 lb little guy born around July 30, 2026, and I'm looking for an active family ready for ALL things puppy!

My energy level? A solid 10/10 until my batteries run out and I crash for a two-hour nap. 🤣 I LOVE balls, tug toys, and anything that keeps me entertained!

I'm an AWESOME car rider and do well in public, although I can be a little shy around new people. I'm gaining confidence every day! I'd be happy with canine siblings or as your one and only. I've even met a cat! I wanted to play, but she wasn't interested. Rude, right?! 😂

My crate training is going great, I sleep in my crate overnight, and I'm making progress with housebreaking. I'm still learning leash manners and getting comfortable being left alone. I'm VERY food motivated, which will come in handy!

Now, let's talk about my future family! ❤️

I'm an intelligent working-breed puppy with plenty of energy and the potential for a stubborn streak! Experience with Huskies or similar high-energy, intelligent breeds is strongly preferred. I'll need an active household with a yard to run and play in. Apartment living isn't for me!

Here's the MOST important part: I ONLY KNOW WHAT YOU TEACH ME! I'm a puppy, not a fully trained adult dog. I'm entering my teething phase, which means nipping, chewing, and testing boundaries are all part of the package! 🫣 I need a family committed to consistent training, patience, structure, and mental stimulation to help me grow into a well-mannered adult.

I'll also need someone with a flexible schedule or the ability to provide a few breaks throughout the day. I'm still a baby and not quite ready to spend an entire workday crated or alone!

Kids 6+ with good dog manners and experience around energetic puppies would be a great fit!

I might be a little shy at first, but give me patience, love, and the guidance I need, and I promise we'll have SO much fun together!

⚓️ Apply to adopt me through First Mate Dog Rescue!

10/27/2026

🌊 RUBY IS LOOKING FOR A CAPTAIN FOR HER BOAT GIRL ERA ⚓️

Meet Ruby! At 2 years old and 54 lbs, this likely Shepherd/Husky mix is sweet, affectionate, incredibly mellow, and ready to find her forever crew.

Her foster says Ruby is exceptionally chill — she’ll happily play for 20–30 minutes and then nap for hours. She loves being near her people and is just as content lying at your feet while you work as she is heading out for an adventure.

🐾 Housebroken with zero accidents
🐾 Moderate energy
🐾 Walks with ZERO pulling; may zig-zag but redirects easily
🐾 Excellent car rider — quiet and mellow in the backseat
🐾 Sleeps through the night
🐾 Loves meeting new people and soaking up attention
🐾 Has met kids around 10–12 and LOVED them
🐾 Dog friendly with proper introductions - best pal is an easygoing dog (also GREAT as your one and only)
🐾 Cats are unknown
🐾 Crate trained once she’s in, although she may need a little coaxing
🐾 Knows “come here” and “stop/leave it” and responds really well to guidance
🐾 Loves her crinkly duck and will happily entertain herself
🐾 Snores and occasionally talks/grunts in her sleep 🥹

Ruby is also fantastic out in public. She loves attention from strangers and handles outings like a champ. With her mellow personality, adventurous side, and excellent car manners, we think she has all the makings of an AWESOME beach or boat companion. 🌊

Ruby really is the best of both worlds: ready to get out and explore with you, but more than happy to come home, settle in, and keep you company. She doesn’t need another dog to be happy, but she’d certainly enjoy having a canine buddy.

Sweet, social, easygoing, and just an all-around GREAT dog. Someone is going to get very lucky with Ruby. ❤️

Apply to adopt Ruby via www.firstmaterescue.com

10/27/2026

Adopted!!!

10/27/2026

⚓️ PIPER IS READY TO STEAL YOUR HEART! 🐾❤️

At 1½–2 years old and just 22 lbs, Piper might be the cutest little beagle we've ever laid eyes on! This sweet, social butterfly has the most gentle, easygoing personality and is looking for a forever family to call her own!

💕 A LITTLE ABOUT ME!

🐾 I'm a laid-back gal who loves cuddles, cozy naps, and hanging out with my favorite humans. I'm low-energy but still enjoy getting outside for walks and chasing tennis balls around the yard. Fetch? Still figuring out that returning-the-ball part! 😂

🐾 I'm quite the social butterfly! I recently went shopping at Unleashed and did fantastic meeting strangers and soaking up all the attention. I'm friendly with other dogs and AMAZING with cats! My foster kitty and I even share the couch for naps. I'd be happy as your one and only or with furry siblings!

🐾 I haven't met kiddos yet, but my sweet temperament suggests I could do well with children who have respectful dog manners.

🐾 My leash manners are fantastic! No pulling here, just leisurely strolls with plenty of sniffing. Car rides make me a little nervous initially, but I settle in with reassurance.

🐾 I'm a crate-training rockstar and sleep peacefully through the night! I'm still perfecting my housebreaking skills, so consistent potty breaks and supervision are important. I might whine briefly when you leave, but I settle down pretty quickly.

🐾 I'm very food-motivated and currently learning basic commands. Treats and positive reinforcement are definitely the way to my heart!

🏡 MY PAWFECT HOME: I'm looking for someone who appreciates a slower-paced lifestyle, enjoys daily walks, and wouldn't mind having a professional cuddle buddy around! A flexible schedule or the ability to provide a midday potty break would be wonderful while I finish mastering my house manners.

❤️ If you're looking for a sweet, affectionate little companion who is happy to go with the flow, I might just be your girl!

⚓️ Apply to adopt me at www.firstmaterescue.com!