N.C. Non-Profit Animal Rescue

Give a Freedom Ride

In 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.

Adopt a dogMake a Donation
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.

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Meet Wendy 💕🐾

This sweet girl is ready to find her happily ever after! Wendy is the perfect sidekick who loves curling up next to her people for some quality cuddle time.

She’s got that lovable, easygoing personality that makes everyone fall for her, and once you meet her, you’ll understand why we’re all a little obsessed. Wendy is ready to be someone’s loyal sidekick, adventure buddy, and professional couch companion all in one.

Trust us… Wendy is the kind of dog who makes every day better 💛

Think she might be your perfect match? Head to our website to learn more and apply to meet her! www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
... See MoreSee Less

When looking to adopt a new furry friend, it's important to find the right one for you. Age can play a big part in that, to make sure your new pet fits into your schedule and lifestyle well. This week, we'll be highlighting all the currently adoptable dogs and puppies based on their age groups. We hope one of these dogs is perfect for you!

🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

Golden Hearts: Seniors (9+ Years) 👑

Senior dogs = pure magic 💫
These wise, gentle souls have so much love to give and ask for so little in return. They’re typically calm, affectionate, and happiest just being near their person.

There’s something incredibly special about giving a senior dog the loving home they deserve—and we promise, they’ll give you their whole heart right back.

💰 Adoption fee: $200
📲 Learn more and meet our senior sweethearts: www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
... See MoreSee Less

Nehi is still missing!
Sweet Nehi was adopted from us in February of this year. On March 28, her family was at Crowder Park in Apex, and Nehi got spooked and took off from her adopters. We have had people out looking and putting up signs for her for close to two weeks and we hope to bring her home soon.

While we appreciate people's desire to help, we don't need any suggestions on how to lure/trap her at this point. We are doing all the "right" things.

What we DO need is for people to NOT walk around searching for her. If you are driving and get a visual sighting of Nehi, please do nothing other than text/call us with details: when, where, heading in what direction. She was WICKEDLY terrified of strangers even before being in "flight mode." We appreciate any sightings ...

If you want to help put up more signs or check that our current signs are secure/not water logged - share our post - ask neighbors to review RING cameras: THAT'S what we need!!

If you are in the area, please keep an eye out. If spotted, DO NOT CHASE. Instead, try to keep her in your line of sight and call immediately:
📞 919.673.6338
Even quick sightings can help bring her safely back. Please share with anyone in the Apex area to help us get Nehi home. 🐾💛
PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD BY SHARING THIS POST!‼
... See MoreSee Less

Load more

See us on Instagram

Browse our dogs in foster care and available for adoption!

🚨🚨FOSTER NEEDED!🚨🚨Not being hyperbolic when I tell you we are in new territory right now with the amount of intakes at our county shelters. This particular shelter has taken in 170 dogs since April 1st. We have about 100 shelters here in NC, so you can do the math. To be part of the team that has to make these life-saving decisions is not an easy job, but it has to be done.

Walter is one of the dogs on the list we are trying to pull, but we cannot move forward without a foster commitment.

Walter is an 8-year-old, 20 lb boy who is heartworm negative. His dog test looks great and he has so much life left to live — he just needs someone to give him a safe place to land.

If you can help Walter, please PM me as soon as possible. We are running out of time and options for dogs like him.
Please email jennifer@freedom-ride.org if you can help Walter!
Meet Wendy 💕🐾

This sweet girl is ready to find her happily ever after! Wendy is the perfect sidekick who loves curling up next to her people for some quality cuddle time.

She’s got that lovable, easygoing personality that makes everyone fall for her, and once you meet her, you’ll understand why we’re all a little obsessed. Wendy is ready to be someone’s loyal sidekick, adventure buddy, and professional couch companion all in one.

Trust us… Wendy is the kind of dog who makes every day better 💛

Think she might be your perfect match? Head to our website to learn more and apply to meet her! www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
Nehi is still missing!
Sweet Nehi was adopted from us in February of this year. On March 28, her family was at Crowder Park in Apex, and Nehi got spooked and took off from her adopters. We have had people out looking and putting up signs for her for close to two weeks and we hope to bring her home soon. 

While we appreciate people's desire to help, we don't need any suggestions on how to lure/trap her at this point. We are doing all the "right" things. 

What we DO need is for people to NOT walk around searching for her. If you are driving and get a visual sighting of Nehi, please do nothing other than text/call us with details: when, where, heading in what direction. She was WICKEDLY terrified of strangers even before being in "flight mode." We appreciate any sightings ...

If you want to help put up more signs or check that our current signs are secure/not water logged - share our post - ask neighbors to review RING cameras: THAT'S what we need!! 

If you are in the area, please keep an eye out. If spotted, DO NOT CHASE. Instead, try to keep her in your line of sight and call immediately:
📞 919.673.6338
Even quick sightings can help bring her safely back. Please share with anyone in the Apex area to help us get Nehi home. 🐾💛
PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD BY SHARING THIS POST!‼
FRR Alum Charlie (FKA Elmo) has grown up right before everyone’s eyes, transforming from a tiny pup into a handsome, full-of-personality companion. Now celebrating his second gotcha day, this FRR alum has truly settled into the good life—and he wears it very well.

🍖 Charlie is, without a doubt, always hungry—or at least he’d like you to believe that. With one look into his soulful, puppy-dog eyes, he’s mastered the art of convincing his family that just one more treat couldn’t possibly hurt. (Spoiler alert: it never stops at just one.) His charm is undeniable, and honestly, resisting him is a challenge few can win.

😴 While Charlie enjoys life’s little indulgences, he’s equally devoted to relaxation. He’s a big fan of lazy days, often found snoozing peacefully—sometimes even upside down, because why not add a little flair to nap time? Whether it’s a cozy couch or a sunny spot on the floor, Charlie knows how to fully embrace rest and recharge.

🦃 When it comes to holidays, Charlie is both patient and strategic. During Thanksgiving, he can be found calmly waiting nearby, holding out hope for a few delicious leftovers to come his way. His patience (and those eyes again!) make him a top-tier contender for “Most Likely to Get Extra Treats.”

🎄Charlie doesn’t just enjoy the holidays—he models them. In front of the Christmas tree, he strikes poses like a seasoned professional, effortlessly capturing hearts and stealing the spotlight. If there were a canine holiday card competition, Charlie would be a serious contender.

💛 Two years into his forever home, Charlie has truly blossomed into a beloved member of the family. With his mix of humor, sweetness, and irresistible charm, he brings warmth and personality to every single day. Whether he’s lounging, posing, or politely waiting for snacks, Charlie is living proof that life with a dog is just better.

👀 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!

Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.”

~ Karen Davison

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.

Upcoming Events

 Don't miss our fun-filled line up of events!

help save a life

Donations cover vet expenses, shelter fees, continuing long-term care, and any other costs that arise treating dogs in great need. We prepare our dogs for success with a microchip, spay/neuter and make sure they are up to date on vaccines and preventatives. We are a 501(c)(3) organization making your financial contributions tax deductible.

foster

Join our tight-knit rescue family! We need fosters until dogs are adopted, for temporary needs, for medical cases and/or for end of life hospice care. Supplies and vet care is provided. You help your dog blossom and find his fur-ever home and in the process learn what a rewarding experience fostering really is!

Adopt

Adopting a rescue animal helps to save the life of an animal in need, through no fault of their own! And you get a new best friend out of the deal. Seriously, what could be better than that? We take in all mixes of breeds and all ages! You can meet adoptable dogs at our weekly adoption events or put in an application for specific dogs.

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. 

Report Lost Pet