N.C. Non-Profit Animal Rescue
Give a Freedom RideIn the rescue world, a “Freedom Ride” is that magical car ride out of an animal shelter for a dog. At first they are nervous, but there is a moment when they realize they are safe …. tongue out, tail wagging, a new chapter for them.
About Us
About Our N.C. Rescue
We are proud to be the crazy dog lovers who skip out on work to transport dogs from all over the state to their excited fosters’ homes; who stay up late searching shelter pages for that next “Freedom Ride” potential; who spend countless hours making rescue a reality!
Freedom Ride Rescue brings together individuals who share a love for dogs and a dream to see a no-kill state. Our foster-based network is in the Raleigh/Clayton, NC, area. We bring in dogs of all ages, sizes and breed mixes. We help to rehabilitate these animals – providing security, love, medical, and behavioral training as needed – until they can be adopted to their “fur-ever” homes.
We are foster based: we have no facility and every one of our adoptable (and not quite ready to be adopted) animals are in homes where families are teaching trust, love, basic manners …. preparing your future dog ready to be the best addition to your family that he can be!
As fosters, we are willing to have our heart break after we love, rehabilitate and nurse an unwanted, unloved animal until they prance away with their fur-ever person – often never looking back – as they start their most life’s wonderful chapter: the one as a cherished pet.
So join our road to making freedom rides happen! We are a wonderful, tight-knit family needing volunteers, fosters, donors – basically caring people willing to help in any way they can!
Follow us on Facebook
Stay up to date with current adoptable dogs, available fosters, events and more.
What if you could get groovy stuff AND win Freedom Ride Rescue $500? Well it's possible with the Mona Pants Foundation's 'left overs' from their weekly auction!
Claim an item - vote for FRR! They'll select randomly which claimant's 501(c)3 rescue wins! Over 100 cool things are available to click on over, claim and vote for FRR!!!!
Go here for this week's "left overs" and start claiming: tinyurl.com/52hjj4wz
We love all Mona Pants - and are THRILLED that they are a Turkey Day 5K sponsor this year!!
🐾 Barkitecture 2025 – What a Day! 🐾🌧
It may have been a dreary day, but the rain held off just long enough for everyone to enjoy one of our favorite events of the year — Barkitecture 2025!
We’re always amazed by the creativity, the community spirit, and most of all, the love for animals that fills the air at this event. 💚 From the incredible pet-themed builds to the smiling faces (both two- and four-legged!), it’s such a joy to see so many people come together to celebrate rescue, design, and everything we love about our furry friends.
Huge thanks to everyone who came out, supported the rescues, and made this day so special — rain clouds and all! ☁️🐶💦 And thanks to the folks at Barkitecture for including us again!
@barkitectureevents
When Ernie first arrived, he was shy and shut down — unsure of what to expect. But with just a few days of patience and kindness, this sweet boy’s happy, playful personality began to shine through. 🌟
Now, Ernie is all about toys, playtime, and friendship! He loves playing with dogs of all sizes, enjoys the company of cats, and adores his people. He’s potty trained, walks beautifully on leash, and is making great progress with crate training. (He’s crated when home alone and at night, but if you invite him to snuggle in bed, he’ll be over the moon!) 💕
This resilient, loving boy has come such a long way — and now he’s ready to find the forever family who will cheer him on for the rest of his journey. 💖
Could Ernie be the missing piece in your family? Apply at www.freedom-ride.org
See us on Instagram
Browse our dogs in foster care and available for adoption!
🚨🚨FOSTER NEEDED!!🚨🚨Joplin is a 1 year old 33 lb neutered lab/spaniel mix in need. Look at those ears and that tail. 10/10. He would love an active dog buddy to play with. He is very dog friendly and just so sweet! Also the perfect travel size. Please email jennifer@freedom-ride.org if you can help foster him!
🐾 Barkitecture 2025 – What a Day! 🐾🌧
It may have been a dreary day, but the rain held off just long enough for everyone to enjoy one of our favorite events of the year — Barkitecture 2025!
We’re always amazed by the creativity, the community spirit, and most of all, the love for animals that fills the air at this event. 💚 From the incredible pet-themed builds to the smiling faces (both two- and four-legged!), it’s such a joy to see so many people come together to celebrate rescue, design, and everything we love about our furry friends.
Huge thanks to everyone who came out, supported the rescues, and made this day so special — rain clouds and all! ☁️🐶💦 And thanks to the folks at Barkitecture for including us again!
@barkitectureevents
When Ernie first arrived, he was shy and shut down — unsure of what to expect. But with just a few days of patience and kindness, this sweet boy’s happy, playful personality began to shine through. 🌟
Now, Ernie is all about toys, playtime, and friendship! He loves playing with dogs of all sizes, enjoys the company of cats, and adores his people. He’s potty trained, walks beautifully on leash, and is making great progress with crate training. (He’s crated when home alone and at night, but if you invite him to snuggle in bed, he’ll be over the moon!) 💕
This resilient, loving boy has come such a long way — and now he’s ready to find the forever family who will cheer him on for the rest of his journey. 💖
Could Ernie be the missing piece in your family? Apply at www.freedom-ride.org
🌊FRR Alum Merle absolutely loves the beach! It is his favorite place to be. He may run away from the water, but he cannot get enough of digging and trotting through the sand.
🫧He is obsessed with bubbles and loves chomping at them as they float by.
🐶🐱He also loves to play with other dogs, cats, and humans both big and small. He has truly never met a stranger.
🛏️❤️Merle’s all-time favorite hobby, though, is snuggling between his mom and dad in bed.
🤪⚡🏃♂️This goofy boy has the silliest expressions and the funniest personality. One moment he is curled up on your lap (because of course every pittie mix thinks they are a lap dog 😉) and the next he is zooming full speed around the backyard.
🏡✨Merle’s mom originally fostered him, but quickly realized she could never say goodbye. From the first day, it was clear that he was HOME. We call that a foster WIN!🎉
👀 We absolutely love hearing about how our alumni are doing! Want to see your alum featured? Share their photos and stories on our alumni page—you could be our next spotlight!
Quinn is a 1-year-old small breed mix who’s equal parts playful, curious, and cuddly! This sweet girl loves her toys, enjoys exploring the yard (with a few joyful zoomies, of course!), and can nap just about anywhere once she’s had her fun. 💤
Quinn is both affectionate and independent — she’ll happily entertain herself, but if your lap is open, that’s her favorite place to be. She adores being near her people and quietly soaking up their company.
She came from a hoarding situation, so crates are tough for her. They make her anxious, but she’s proven she can be trusted with free roam — no destruction, no mischief, just a happy girl waiting for her people to come home. Her ideal family will either have the patience for gentle crate training or be able to offer a safe space for her when she’s alone.
Quinn gets along wonderfully with the small and medium dogs in her foster home, but big dogs can be a bit overwhelming for this petite pup. She’d love a canine buddy her own size — or she’d be perfectly happy as your one-and-only companion.
She’s housetrained and working on her leash confidence, but would thrive in a home with a fenced yard for easier potty breaks.
Quinn startles easily at times, but her curiosity always wins. She’s resilient, loving, and so ready for her forever family. 💕
If you’re looking for a loyal, toy-loving, zoomie-throwing lap buddy with a heart of gold, Quinn is ready to meet you!
Apply on our website: www.freedom-ride.org
Two events, one awesome weekend!
Saturday, October 18 | 9 AM – 4 PM
Stewart’s Greenhouse Fall Bazaar – Linden, NC
We’re so excited to be part of the Fall Bazaar this year! Come shop local vendors, check out the bounce houses, and maybe meet your new best friend while you’re here.
Sunday, October 19 | 1–3 PM
Lonerider Brewery – Wake Forest, NC
The most notorious gang—The Baddest Bunch of dogs and puppies, also known as Titan’s Most Wanted—have finally been tracked down! They’ve been charged with crimes of extreme cuteness and sentenced to a lifetime of love, snuggles, and treats.
Now they just need new homes to serve out their “sentences.” Come grab a drink, meet the crew, and maybe ride off into the sunset with your new partner in crime.
YEE-HAW!
TURKEY DAY COUNTDOWN!! We`ve got 43 days `til RUN TIME! This is our biggest annual fundraiser ... we run for success stories like Tilly!!!
Please join us Thanksgiving morning for our annual Turkey Day 5K in Garner .... there`s a timed 5K, a casual 5K, a one mile walk/run OR register as a virtual runner (even if you don`t actually RUN, you`ll get a shirt!!)
Get more info and register at:
https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Garner/FreedomRideRescueTurkeyDay5k
Dogs and chidren welcome: costumes encouraged ... and take note of the amazing sponsors - please support the businesses supporting Freedom Ride!
#pawitforward #freedomriderescue #turkeyday5k #garner #garnernc #fleetfeet #Fleetfeetraleigh
🎶 Meet Melody — the sweetest little love song! 💕
This 6-month-old cutie is a bundle of happiness and affection. Melody loves to snuggle close, shower you with kisses, and make everyone around her smile. She adores kids, dogs, and even cats — truly a friend to all! 🐶🐾
She’s an easygoing, all-around good girl who can’t wait to find her forever family and share her big, happy heart. 💗
Apply to adopt this sweet girl! www.freedom-ride.org
Wednesday Yappy Hour Shopping? Stop by from 4:30 - 7:30 pm at @willowhousecoffee tomorrow (Wednesday) for a fun pop up vendor event! They`re staying open late to host adoptable dogs and puppies of Freedom Ride ... and we`re being joined by a FABULOUS group of doggy vendors!
After you hug an adoptable dog, grab a cup of Willow House java then visit our host, Bryan with @dogrescuetreats! He`s got @the_social_hound, @happyhoundsclayton, @roodogtraining, @vinylpaws, @@bambooniesbarkery setting up - lots of fun things to buy for your doggo!!!!
#pawitforward #freedomriderescue #nopawsleftbehind
Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.”
~
Services
What We Do
Rescue Dogs
We are proud to be the crazy dog lovers who skip out on work to transport dogs from all over the state to their excited fosters’ homes … who stay up late searching shelter pages for that next “Freedom Ride” potential …. who volunteer countless hours making rescue a reality!
Provide Medical Care
Freedom Ride Rescue provides all supplies (crates, food, bowls) and gets the animal in for a vet visit (for a spay, neuter and/or vaccines); we’ll also provide flea and heartworm preventatives. Anything and everything to make a happy and healthy pet!
Find A Home
We love, rehabilitate and nurse an unwanted, unloved animal until they prance away with their fur-ever person as they start their most life’s wonderful chapter: the one as a cherished pet.
Lost a Pet?
Freedom Ride Rescue partners with Petco Love Lost to make reuniting lost pets easier using image recognition technology to search a national lost and found database.