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.

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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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Raisin has it all: looks, personality, smarts...and the SMOOSH factor!

This clever girl is already learning “sit,” “come,” and leash walking like a total pro. Give her a treat and a few repetitions, and she’s ready to show off her newest skill. Raisin is incredibly food motivated, eager to please, and absolutely loves learning new things.

When she’s not busy being a tiny scholar, she’s playing with the adult dog in her foster home or romping around with her brother, Squish. She’s also doing wonderfully with crate training and is learning all the puppy basics like potty training and appropriate chewing habits.

Raisin is looking for a family who will continue helping her learn, grow, and shine. With a little consistency, enrichment, and love, this smart cookie is going to grow into one amazing dog

Apply to meet her here: www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
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🐶☀️ FRR Alum Peanut (FKA Randall) is a sun-loving professional napper who can usually be found stretched out in the warmest spot he can find, soaking up the rays. But don’t let his relaxed vibe fool you—once he wakes up, it’s game on! His absolute favorite pastime? Playing with his beloved giraffe 🦒, who faithfully joins him not only for playtime but also tucks in with him every single night. (A big thank you to his foster mom for sending Mr. Giraffe along—true best friend status! 💛)

🏡Peanut takes his role as head of security very seriously. He loves to survey his domain, always on high alert for anything suspicious. Whether he’s supervising card games (from the comfort of his chair… until he dozes off 😴) or standing guard at the window, Peanut makes sure everything is in order. He may need a little boost via his step ladder to get the best view, but once he’s up there, you can rest easy—Peanut is on duty!

🏖️🌊 He experienced his first sunny beach day and loved the warmth and adventure… though those waves? A little too spooky for his taste! But back on land, Peanut has discovered a true menace—squirrels 🐿️. He proudly sounds the bark alarm anytime one dares to climb a tree, because obviously, that behavior is completely unacceptable.

🐾💥 When it’s time to play, Peanut is all in! He loves wrestling and goofing around with his best buddy Curry, and he has a serious obsession with squeaky toys. In fact, the squeaking happens so often, you’d think the toy had batteries—like the Energizer Bunny, it just keeps going and going! 🔋😂

💕 From sun naps to security patrols, Peanut brings the perfect mix of sweetness, silliness, and loyalty to his forever home!

👀 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!
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Gunnar 🐾💛

Soft boy, big heart, professional shadow in training.

Gunnar just wants to be near his people (and his dog buddies!)—he’s a gentle, playful pup who’s still building confidence and learning the ropes. A friendly canine sibling and a patient home will help him shine ✨

Give him a little time, a lot of love, and watch this sweet boy blossom into the best companion 🐶

Apply to meet Gunnar: www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
... See MoreSee Less

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Browse our dogs in foster care and available for adoption!

Raisin has it all: looks, personality, smarts...and the SMOOSH factor!

This clever girl is already learning “sit,” “come,” and leash walking like a total pro. Give her a treat and a few repetitions, and she’s ready to show off her newest skill. Raisin is incredibly food motivated, eager to please, and absolutely loves learning new things.

When she’s not busy being a tiny scholar, she’s playing with the adult dog in her foster home or romping around with her brother, Squish. She’s also doing wonderfully with crate training and is learning all the puppy basics like potty training and appropriate chewing habits.

Raisin is looking for a family who will continue helping her learn, grow, and shine. With a little consistency, enrichment, and love, this smart cookie is going to grow into one amazing dog

Apply to meet her here: www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
🐶☀️ FRR Alum Peanut (FKA Randall) is a sun-loving professional napper who can usually be found stretched out in the warmest spot he can find, soaking up the rays. But don’t let his relaxed vibe fool you—once he wakes up, it’s game on! His absolute favorite pastime? Playing with his beloved giraffe 🦒, who faithfully joins him not only for playtime but also tucks in with him every single night. (A big thank you to his foster mom for sending Mr. Giraffe along—true best friend status! 💛)

🏡Peanut takes his role as head of security very seriously. He loves to survey his domain, always on high alert for anything suspicious. Whether he’s supervising card games (from the comfort of his chair… until he dozes off 😴) or standing guard at the window, Peanut makes sure everything is in order. He may need a little boost via his step ladder to get the best view, but once he’s up there, you can rest easy—Peanut is on duty!

🏖️🌊 He experienced his first sunny beach day and loved the warmth and adventure… though those waves? A little too spooky for his taste! But back on land, Peanut has discovered a true menace—squirrels 🐿️. He proudly sounds the bark alarm anytime one dares to climb a tree, because obviously, that behavior is completely unacceptable.

🐾💥 When it’s time to play, Peanut is all in! He loves wrestling and goofing around with his best buddy Curry, and he has a serious obsession with squeaky toys. In fact, the squeaking happens so often, you’d think the toy had batteries—like the Energizer Bunny, it just keeps going and going! 🔋😂

💕 From sun naps to security patrols, Peanut brings the perfect mix of sweetness, silliness, and loyalty to his forever home!

👀 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!
🚨🚨PUPPY FOSTER NEEDED!!🚨🚨 11-week old Bronco is in need of a foster! He is dog friendly, very sweet and such a handsome boy. FRR covers all costs associated with his care we just need YOU to provide the loving foster home. Email jennifer@freedom-ride.org today if you can help!Please note, all fosters must live within an hour of Raleigh!
Gunnar 🐾💛

Soft boy, big heart, professional shadow in training.

Gunnar just wants to be near his people (and his dog buddies!)—he’s a gentle, playful pup who’s still building confidence and learning the ropes. A friendly canine sibling and a patient home will help him shine ✨

Give him a little time, a lot of love, and watch this sweet boy blossom into the best companion 🐶

Apply to meet Gunnar: www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
Valentina is your “slow mornings, quiet nights” kind of bestie—the ultimate low-key companion who just wants to be near her people and take life one gentle step (and one good sniff) at a time 🌸🐾

She’s housebroken, crate-trained, and perfect for someone who prefers peaceful walks over power walks. She gets along with other dogs but mostly keeps to herself.
This beauty is a  little shy, a little mischievous (keep those doors secure 😉), and a whole lot of love waiting to bloom.

If your home is calm, patient, and full of cozy corners, Valentina might just be your perfect match 💗

Apply to meet her: www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
Countdown to THE FREEDOM RIDE is on! Saturday, May 30: Kick stands up at 11:15 am ... Cars and motorcycles welcome .... and for the "car collectors" who don't want to drive, we have a parking lot reserved for a mini car meet and greet!! Come show off your awesome ride!

The POKER run is three venues where you can improve your poker hand (prize for best AND worst hand) .... and the "Pawty" at Lonerider in Wake Forest is noon til 5 pm!! We have a DJ, vendors, food trucks - and of COURSE adoptable FRR dogs and puppies!!

There are still a few vendor spaces and we need one more food truck - plus we need more swag for the riders' bags - email kristy@freedom-ride.org to join us as a business!

Freedom-ride.org/the-freedom-ride

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