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!
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Stay up to date with current adoptable dogs, available fosters, events and more.
As we close out "National Heartworm Awareness Month", let's take a look at our current adoptable dogs with heartworm disease: Roscoe, Bootleg, Shirley, Warren and BB! They have all started an antibiotic and heartworms meds to prepare for the treatment -- and Bad Bunny actually did her first round of treatment at Falls Village Veterinary Hospital! It's a hard process to put dogs through - and very expensive. However, if not treated, it is a slow, painful, fatal disease.
It is NOT contagious between people, cats or dogs - the only way your dog can get it is a bite from an infected mosquito. Giving them heartworm prevention protects them from this deadly disease. If you live in NC, you know our temps are crazy and having a living mosquito any time of year is possible - so protect your dogs and talk to your vet about meds for heartworm prevention!
In the meantime - please consider donating to our heartworm fund. While Falls Village Vet gives us a VERY generous rescue price on the treatment, between meds and the injections (and supplies while we have the dogs) it is an average of $700 a heartworm positive dog.
freedom-ride.org/donate
Today's "Freedom Ride" post is an INUNDATION of puppies and return requests ... If you can open your home to a foster, you have never been needed more!
We broke our own rule and took in a litter without having them all covered after learning another rescue took four and left five behind - we refused to leave two behind a second time (the shelter has a third rescue for mom!)
We also begrudgingly took in pups from an owner we'd dealt with before who refused to let us to spay/neuter his adults .... and bam: another litter. We got the pups to safety in waves: grabbing pups as we had fosters. Three were given away, and we truly hope to good homes. Our team will once again push to alter the adult dogs but without our state having laws to spay and neuter pets, our options were limited: walk away knowing the litter was running loose where they could be hit by a car or be prey for wildlife OR take them in - a bitter pill knowing we already helped this couple with several puppies late in 2025. You'll notice that one pup is not doing well - the pictures speak 1000 words. She's smaller than the rest, has a heart murmur and VERY painful skin infections. The vet (and her very diligent foster) are working to get her comfortable ....
THEN our returns: we have a 1-year-old whose family is taking care of an aging parent so don't have enough time to dedicate to him; another 1-year-old who in a home where the Alpha male does NOT appreciate his puppy energy; and an adorable scruff adopted back in 2020. We can only take our adopted dogs back with foster homes ... so if you might be able to help, ask more questions! All three are local and can be met by you and your personal dog(s) before you commit!
If you want to help with the medical expenses of the little black pup in such pain for the infections - go to freedom-ride.org/giving - and she sends her thanks!!
Oatchi is a total people pup—his favorite place in the world is right next to you… or preferably on you. He’s affectionate, loyal, and always ready to bring the laughs with his big personality and silly antics.
He’s crate trained, house trained, and super food motivated (aka ready to learn all the good-boy skills 🍪). Oatchi would LOVE a playful dog sibling to wrestle and romp with, but he’d also thrive as your one-and-only if you’re ready to give him lots of love and attention.
A few things to know: this curious guy loves to chew (toys are a must!) and he can be a little vocal—especially when something startles him. He may fuss for a minute in his crate, but once he settles in, he’s all good.
If you’re looking for a fun, snuggly, slightly silly sidekick who will keep you smiling every day, Oatchi might just be your perfect match 🐶✨
Read more aobut Oatchi and submit an application: www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
See us on Instagram
Browse our dogs in foster care and available for adoption!
As we close out "National Heartworm Awareness Month", let`s take a look at our current adoptable dogs with heartworm disease: Roscoe, Bootleg, Shirley, Warren and BB! They have all started an antibiotic and heartworms meds to prepare for the treatment -- and Bad Bunny actually did her first round of treatment at Falls Village Veterinary Hospital! It`s a hard process to put dogs through - and very expensive. However, if not treated, it is a slow, painful, fatal disease.
It is NOT contagious between people, cats or dogs - the only way your dog can get it is a bite from an infected mosquito. Giving them heartworm prevention protects them from this deadly disease. If you live in NC, you know our temps are crazy and having a living mosquito any time of year is possible - so protect your dogs and talk to your vet about meds for heartworm prevention!
In the meantime - please consider donating to our heartworm fund. While Falls Village Vet gives us a VERY generous rescue price on the treatment, between meds and the injections (and supplies while we have the dogs) it is an average of $700 a heartworm positive dog.
freedom-ride.org/donate
‼️‼️DONATIONS NEEDED‼️‼️What started as worry turned into a heartbreaking reality yesterday when we took in six Shar Pei mix puppies. We braced ourselves for itchy skin and patchy fur—but nothing could’ve prepared us for what we found.
Five of the six puppies are suffering from a painful eye condition called entropion, where the eyelids roll inward, causing lashes to scrape against their eyes. Each one will need costly surgery to relieve their pain and restore their vision.
Despite their rough start, these pups are now safe with amazing foster families who are showering them with love. But now they need all of us to help them heal.
Please consider donating via the link in bio!
🚨🚨FOSTERS NEEDED!!🚨🚨These two floofy babies are in need of fosters! They are 8 weeks old so can stay together (which is usually easier) or go to individual foster homes. If you can help one or both of these babies please email jennifer@freedom-ride.org today!
Oatchi is a total people pup—his favorite place in the world is right next to you… or preferably on you. He’s affectionate, loyal, and always ready to bring the laughs with his big personality and silly antics.
He’s crate trained, house trained, and super food motivated (aka ready to learn all the good-boy skills 🍪). Oatchi would LOVE a playful dog sibling to wrestle and romp with, but he’d also thrive as your one-and-only if you’re ready to give him lots of love and attention.
A few things to know: this curious guy loves to chew (toys are a must!) and he can be a little vocal—especially when something startles him. He may fuss for a minute in his crate, but once he settles in, he’s all good.
If you’re looking for a fun, snuggly, slightly silly sidekick who will keep you smiling every day, Oatchi might just be your perfect match 🐶✨
Read more aobut Oatchi and submit an application: www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
Who’s ready to meet the goodest boys? 🐾💙
Today we’re showing off all the handsome gentlemen of Freedom Ride Rescue—and let’s just say, this group is bringing the charm, the goofiness, and all the tail wags ✨
From playful pups to laid-back loungers, adventure buddies to certified cuddle pros, these boys are ready to be your loyal sidekick through it all. They’ve got big hearts, silly personalities, and so much love to give—they’re just waiting for someone to give it to 💛
Looking for a hiking buddy? A couch companion? A best friend who thinks you’re the greatest human ever?
We’ve got a guy for that 😉
Take a look, fall in love, and help us find these deserving boys their forever homes 🐶🏡
👉 Check out all available dogs + apply: www.freedom-ride.org
👉 Share this post to help our boys get seen!
Spring is here… flowers are blooming...and so are some hidden dangers 🌿⚠️
Many common plants found right here in North Carolina can be toxic to dogs—and some can cause serious illness even in small amounts.
Plants like azaleas, sago palms, oleander, and even tulips/daffodils may look beautiful in your yard, but they can be extremely dangerous if your pup decides to take a nibble.
🐾 Symptoms of plant toxicity can include:
vomiting, drooling, lethargy, tremors, or worse
The best way to protect your dog?
✔️ Know what’s growing in your yard
✔️ Supervise outdoor time
✔️ Remove or block access to toxic plants
If you think your dog has ingested something harmful, contact your vet or an emergency clinic immediately.
Let’s keep our pups safe this season 💛
📌 Save & share this post to help spread awareness!
Who run the world? …our girls 💁♀️🐾💛
Today we’re shining the spotlight on all the amazing ladies of Freedom Ride Rescue—and trust us, this crew is full of personality, love, and main character energy ✨
From playful pups to wise seniors, snuggle bugs to adventure buddies, each of these girls is patiently waiting for her perfect match. They’ve got the love, the loyalty, and the wiggles… now they just need a home to call their own 🏡💕
Looking for a best friend? A couch companion? A walking buddy? A little bit of everything?
We’ve got a girl for that 😉
Take a look, fall in love, and help us get these deserving ladies into their happily ever afters 🐶💖
👉 Check out all available dogs + apply: www.freedom-ride.org
👉 Share this post to help our girls get seen!
Your weekend plans just got WAY cuter 🐾✨
We’ve got TWO chances for you to meet your new best friend this weekend—so come hang out, grab a drink, and get your puppy fix 💛
🌸 Saturday (2–6 PM)
Blooms & Brews Market at Tap Yard (Raleigh)
Sniff out your soulmate with adoptable cuties like Norma, Redwood, Vinny, Hugo & more 🌼🐶
🌼 Sunday (12–6 PM)
Unleashed’s Spring Fling at Koka Booth Amphitheatre
We’ll be out enjoying the sunshine with lots of adorable furry friends 🌞🐾
Whether you’re ready to adopt, thinking about fostering, or just want to stop by for some tail wags and puppy snuggles—we’d love to see you!
Come say hi… your perfect match might be waiting 💕
Miss Poshey is out here living her BEST life—fetching, strutting, and serving up that signature sass with a side of snuggles 💛 This girl is proof that age is just a number 💅🐾
This golden girl has been through a lot, but you’d never know it watching her now. She’s got pep in her step, love to give, and a personality that keeps us smiling every single day.
She may take a little time to trust, but once you’re her person? Game over. You’ve got a loyal, slightly spicy, totally devoted best friend for life ✨
Watch this video and try not to fall in love… we dare you 😏🐶
Ready to give Poshey the forever home she deserves? Apply today 💕
www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
Cuegrass = good vibes, great music, and LOTS of wagging tails 🎻🐾
We had such a fun afternoon downtown hanging out with some amazing adoptable pups, catching up with several alumni (our favorite kind of reunion 💛), and connecting with so many wonderful people.
We’re also incredibly grateful to have raised over $2,600—funds that are so needed right now to help us continue caring for our dogs.
Huge thank you to the folks at Cuegrass Festival, our friends at The Pit Authentic Barbecue, and everyone who stopped by to see us on Saturday. Your support means everything 🐶💕
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.