Animal Rescue Podcast - Lend a Helping Paw Today
Who we are
Who makes up the Friends of Eden Animal Rescue
Operated entirely by volunteers with full-time jobs
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Our Mission & Work
- 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
- Dedicated to saving shelter animals in:
- City of Eden
- Rockingham County
- City of Eden
- Works through networking with rescues and potential adopters
- Independent from county shelters
What We Do
- Support abandoned, lost, and stray animals in Eden and Rockingham County
- Use social media to:
- Reunite lost pets with owners
- Connect animals with rescues and adopters
- Raise funds for animal care
- Reunite lost pets with owners
Local Rescue Marks Over a Decade of Lifesaving Work
Our History
Friends of Eden Animal Rescue Celebrates Compassion, Community Support, and Continued Growth
What began as a small group of compassionate animal lovers in Eden, North Carolina, has grown into one of Rockingham County’s most vital lifelines for animals in need. Officially founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on August 14, 2014, Friends of Eden Animal Rescue is celebrating over a decade of dedication, resilience, and community service.
Entirely volunteer-run, the organization has not only rescued and rehomed countless dogs and cats, but it has also expanded its services to meet the growing needs of both pets and their families throughout the region.
A Growing Mission
Long before the COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented strain on families, Friends of Eden Animal Rescue was already stepping in to help pet owners struggling to provide for their animals. In 2022, the group formalized this support by launching a full-fledged Pet Pantry (Tippy & Friends), offering free pet food and supplies to those in need.
The pantry is made possible through generous donations from community members and key support from Nestlé Purina, which acquired the former Miller brewery in Eden for its pet food manufacturing. This partnership allows Friends to help keep pets in their homes and out of shelters— easing the heartbreak of surrender when finances are tight.
Saving Lives Through Spay and Neuter
To further reduce overpopulation and unwanted litters, Friends of Eden Animal Rescue created a spay and neuter assistance program (SNAP with Friends) in partnership with the Humane Society of the Piedmont in Greensboro. The program provides low-cost procedures—including surgery, pain meds, nail trims, and e-collars—and Friends handles transportation to and from the clinic, eliminating a common barrier for pet owners.
One longtime volunteer champion is Auntie M, a board officer and devoted volunteer of 10 years. In addition to day-to-day rescue work, Auntie M cares for community cats that have made her garage their home, offering food, shelter, and safety. Her makeshift feline B&B has seen more than two dozen cats pass through its doors. She works tirelessly to ensure they are spayed or neutered and vaccinated for rabies, as required by North Carolina law.
Our HisCat Sanctuary: Daily Care, Long-Term Commitmenttory
In 2023, Friends established a cat sanctuary (Felines & Friends) where abandoned kittens, pregnant mother cats, and at-risk felines are nurtured until they’re ready for adoption. The sanctuary is currently home to 14 cats and kittens ranging in age from 4 weeks to 4 years.
Each morning and evening, teams of volunteers care for the cats—feeding them, changing their water, cleaning litter boxes, and spending time socializing them so they become loving, adoptable companions. It’s a labor of love that keeps the cats healthy, happy, and on their way to forever homes.
Foster parents like “Momma Mia” and “Papa John” play a vital role in nurturing neonatal kittens, providing them with a warm and secure environment essential for survival and development during their earliest weeks. Their dedication includes mastering feeding routines using kitten milk replacer to ensure proper growth, engaging in gentle interactions, and closely monitoring developmental milestones to support social and physical maturity. The need for compassionate, temporary care is ongoing—highlighted by “Auntie Lisa,” who recently rescued three tiny kittens from an abandoned home during the brutal summer heat. These efforts underscore the importance of community involvement in safeguarding vulnerable animals.
A Business Community That Cares
Friends of Eden Animal Rescue is deeply grateful for the local businesses that step up every day to support their mission. Companies such as The Dapper Dog, Brad Fisher Hauling & Grading, and Tim Biggs Towing are just a few of the many that not only support financially, but also take personal initiative to trap, vet, and spay or neuter stray cats near their properties. These compassionate business owners— and countless others—are helping reduce the stray population in Eden one animal at a time.
Community Spaces That Open Doors
Beyond homes and businesses, Friends of Eden Animal Rescue thrives because of the kindness of community institutions.
· The Church of the Epiphany in Eden has graciously hosted adoption events, fundraisers, and gatherings in its fellowship hall.
· The local Masonic Lodge welcomes Friends each year for festive, family-friendly events like Breakfast with Santa and Pancakes with the Easter Bunny. These seasonal celebrations do more than bring smiles—they help raise awareness about adoption, fostering, volunteering, and responsible pet ownership
The Power of Social Media
Social media plays a vital role in advancing the mission of Friends of Eden Animal Rescue.
Platforms like Facebook and Instagram help increase visibility, making it easier to find loving homes for adoptable pets and raise critical funds. These channels foster community engagement by connecting potential adopters, foster families, and volunteers, while also serving as powerful tools for fundraising— supporting medical care, supplies, and rescue operations. Social media also enables targeted outreach, helping match pets with specific needs to the right families. Most importantly, it amplifies awareness campaigns around animal welfare, including the urgent issues of abuse, neglect, and hoarding. Friends extends heartfelt thanks to its nearly 10,000 fans and followers, whose support helps strengthen the rescue’s impact and bring attention to the animals who need it most.
It Takes a Community
The phrase “It takes a community” truly resonates in Eden, where for the past eleven years, individuals from all walks of life—small business owners, retirees, and government leaders—have quietly stepped up to tackle Rockingham County’s pet overpopulation crisis. From adopting stray animals and funding spay/neuter surgeries to sharing social media posts and promoting responsible pet ownership, their grassroots efforts reflect a deep compassion that drives meaningful, lasting change. Friends of Eden is especially appreciative of the support and advocacy of Eden City Council members Kenny Kirkman, Jerri Ellis, and Cicero Underwood. Their leadership, combined with the Rescue’s mission, highlights the urgent need for stronger animal welfare laws—including measures to address animal abuse and hoarding—and perhaps even mandatory spay/neuter requirements to help create a more sustainable future for pets in our community.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Recognizing that responsible pet ownership starts young, Friends has created senior project opportunities for local high school students—offering real-world experience in everything from website design and event coordination to fundraising and newsletter writing.
In the upcoming school year, the organization plans to expand its outreach to Rockingham County Schools, providing in-class presentations and workshops that teach students the value of kindness, care, and lifelong commitment to animals.
Giving on the Green
Giving on the Green is Friends of Eden Animal Rescue’s biggest fundraising event of the year, takes place in the fall of each year. This captain’s choice tournament brings together players, sponsors, donors, and volunteers for a day of fun and purpose. Sponsorships range from $100 to $1,500, offering businesses a meaningful way to support animal rescue efforts while gaining valuable local exposure. All proceeds go toward helping animals in need—making every swing, donation, and volunteer hour count. Friends is actively seeking sponsors, players, volunteers, and donors to make this event a success and continue their life-saving work.
Contact Us
Better yet, see us in person!
We love our customers, so feel free to text us to set up a time.
Hours
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
FAQs About Our RESCUE
Please reach us at friendsofedenanimalshelter@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
We are a dedicated nonprofit committed to rescuing and caring for animals in need.
There are many ways to get involved with Friends of Eden Animal Rescue, such as volunteering, making a donation, or attending one of our events.
We provide pet care, food support, and community programs.
Supporters & Allies
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