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.
💋🐾 Watch out… Niva is coming in for a smooch!
This adorable, speckled sweetheart has her tongue out and her heart wide open. Niva is the kind of dog who greets life (and people!) with pure affection — happy, wiggly, and always ready to share a little love.
She’s playful, gentle, and full of charm, and she’d be over the moon to find a forever family who appreciates her smoochy, snuggly ways. 💛
If you’re looking for a lovable companion who will brighten your days and sneak in a kiss whenever she can… Niva is your girl.
👉 Check her out on our website and apply to meet her!
www.freedom-ride.org
🐾✨ WE HAVE A HUGE WEEKEND AHEAD! ✨🐾
If you’ve been waiting for the perfect excuse to get out, have fun, and meet some incredible pups… this is IT!
🐶 SATURDAY: Puppy Yoga + Tastings + Pups!
We’re BACK with everyone’s favorite activity — PUPPY YOGA!
📍 Zin Yoga & Wine, Garner
🕑 2–5 PM
🧘♀️ Puppy Yoga starts at 3 PM → be sure to sign up for yoga in advance: clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=5726810&tg=27&vt=&lvl=&stype=-7&view=day&tr...
🍺 Free beer tasting at 5 PM
🐾 Adoptable dogs & puppies from Freedom Ride plus some extra-adorable guest puppies from another rescue group! #RescuesUnite
Come stretch, sip, snuggle, and soak up all the weekend vibes!
🍻 SUNDAY: Yappy Hour at Deep River Brewing!
📍 Deep River Brewing, Clayton
🕒 3–6 PM
Raise a glass and raise funds!
➡️ $1 from EVERY beer sold during the event comes straight to Freedom Ride!
Meet adoptable dogs, enjoy amazing brews, and support rescue in the easiest, happiest way possible.
🏃♂️ TURKEY DAY 5K PACKET PICKUP
Registered for our big Turkey Day event?
Both of these events are packet pickup opportunities so you can grab all your race-day essentials!
Not registered yet? There’s still time! 🦃💨
www.freedom-ride.org/events/turkey-day-5k-2025/
Come for the fun, stay for the pups, and help us make it an unforgettable weekend! 💛🐾
Turkey Day .... more than a race: a day to celebrate all of the dogs of Freedom Ride Rescue! We are hoping for runners, walkers, dog, kids and costumes galore!!
Vendors, raffles, massages, YOGA and so much more. Run competitively or for fun or walk and enjoy all of the Turkey Signs! Whichever you choose, you'll be home in time to enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday!
Register as a 5K, one mile or virtual 'runner' at: runsignup.com/Race/NC/Garner/FreedomRideRescueTurkeyDay5k
Buy raffle tickets up until Wednesday night (or at the Turkey Day Thursday): www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/freedom-ride-rescue-turkey-day-5k-raffle
See us on Instagram
Browse our dogs in foster care and available for adoption!
💋🐾 Watch out… Niva is coming in for a smooch!
This adorable, speckled sweetheart has her tongue out and her heart wide open. Niva is the kind of dog who greets life (and people!) with pure affection — happy, wiggly, and always ready to share a little love.
She’s playful, gentle, and full of charm, and she’d be over the moon to find a forever family who appreciates her smoochy, snuggly ways. 💛
If you’re looking for a lovable companion who will brighten your days and sneak in a kiss whenever she can… Niva is your girl.
👉 Check her out on our website and apply to meet her!
www.freedom-ride.org
🚨🚨PUPPY FOSTER NEEDED!!🚨🚨This scruffy dude is totally channeling Wishbone (IYKYK). His current family can no longer care for him so he is in need of a foster. He is 6 months old, dog friendly and a totally love bug. He is local, so it’s possible to meet him first before committing to foster. Please email jennifer@freedom-ride.org if you can help!
🐾✨ WE HAVE A HUGE WEEKEND AHEAD! ✨🐾
If you’ve been waiting for the perfect excuse to get out, have fun, and meet some incredible pups… this is IT!
🐶 SATURDAY: Puppy Yoga + Tastings + Pups!
We’re BACK with everyone’s favorite activity — PUPPY YOGA!
📍 Zin Yoga & Wine, Garner
🕑 2–5 PM
🧘♀️ Puppy Yoga starts at 3 PM → be sure to sign up for yoga in advance: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=5726810&tg=27&vt=&lvl=&stype=-7&view=day&trn=100000069&page=&catid=&prodid=&date=11%2f22%2f25&classid=0&prodGroupId=&sSU=&optForwardingLink=&qParam=&justloggedin=&nLgIn=&pMode=0&loc=1
🍺 Free beer tasting at 5 PM
🐾 Adoptable dogs & puppies from Freedom Ride plus some extra-adorable guest puppies from another rescue group! #RescuesUnite
Come stretch, sip, snuggle, and soak up all the weekend vibes!
🍻 SUNDAY: Yappy Hour at Deep River Brewing!
📍 Deep River Brewing, Clayton
🕒 3–6 PM
Raise a glass and raise funds!
➡️ $1 from EVERY beer sold during the event comes straight to Freedom Ride!
Meet adoptable dogs, enjoy amazing brews, and support rescue in the easiest, happiest way possible.
🏃♂️ TURKEY DAY 5K PACKET PICKUP
Registered for our big Turkey Day event?
Both of these events are packet pickup opportunities so you can grab all your race-day essentials!
Not registered yet? There’s still time! 🦃💨
https://www.freedom-ride.org/events/turkey-day-5k-2025/
Come for the fun, stay for the pups, and help us make it an unforgettable weekend! 💛🐾
Turkey Day .... more than a race: a day to celebrate all of the dogs of Freedom Ride Rescue! We are hoping for runners, walkers, dog, kids and costumes galore!!
Vendors, raffles, massages, YOGA and so much more. Run competitively or for fun or walk and enjoy all of the Turkey Signs! Whichever you choose, you`ll be home in time to enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday!
Register as a 5K, one mile or virtual `runner` at: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Garner/FreedomRideRescueTurkeyDay5k
Buy raffle tickets up until Wednesday night (or at the Turkey Day Thursday): https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/freedom-ride-rescue-turkey-day-5k-raffle
If you’re looking for a pup who’s past the puppy phase but still full of love, joy, and personality… our adult dogs are ready to steal your heart. ❤️🐾
Every face in this video has a story, a gentle soul, and a whole lot of love waiting for the right family. Whether you want a walking buddy, a couch snuggler, a playful goofball, or a mellow companion, we’ve got an incredible match just waiting to meet you.
Adult dogs shine in so many ways — they’re often easier to train, their personalities are already blooming, and they’re just so grateful for a soft place to land.
✨ Meet your next best friend today.
Apply on our website or come say hi at one of our upcoming events!
www.freedom-ride.org
💙🐾 Katara is dreaming… 🐾💙
Our perfect, beautiful girl Katara has just one wish on her mind: a forever home to call her own. With her soft eyes, gentle spirit, and loving nature, she’s the kind of dog who makes every day feel a little warmer and a little brighter.
Katara is sweet, loyal, and ready to be someone’s whole world — she just needs her person to find her. 💛
If you’ve been hoping for a loving companion who will happily share snuggles, adventures, and quiet moments alike… Katara might be your perfect match.
👉 Check out her bio on our website and apply to meet this dreamy sweetheart!
www.freedom-ride.org
TURKEY COUNT DOWN: One week we`ll be gathering at White Deer Park in Garner for our biggest (and most fun) annual event Thanksgiving morning and hope you can join us! If you can`t, please join us "virtually" to support the dogs of Freedom Ride Rescue!
The runners` shirts and awards have arrived! Awards and gift cards go to the fastest 5K runners, but everyone gets a shirt! (See categories for awards: https://runsignup.com/Race/FreedomRideRescueTurkeyDay5k/Page-7 )
The Turkey Day 5K is a dog and family friendly morning (over early enough to still go celebrate the holiday) ....
* A non-certified 5K in heats (with a few athletic dogs)
* A one mile fun run/fun walk - where there will be costumes and LOTS of dogs and kids ....
* A virtual option - let us know where to send your shirt (or pick it up at one of our three pre-packet pick ups: https://runsignup.com/Race/FreedomRideRescueTurkeyDay5k/Page-2
#turkeyday5K #pawitforward #freedomriderescue #garner #garnernc
ONE WEEK and counting to Turkey Day! Our founder, Larry Hughes, has some housekeeping updates for everyone!!
The Turkey Day 5K is a dog and family friendly morning (over early enough to still go celebrate the holiday) at White Deer and Lake Benson parks in Garner ...
* A non-certified 5K in heats (with a few athletic dogs)
* A one mile fun run/fun walk - where there will be costumes and LOTS of dogs and kids ....
* A virtual option - let us know where you do the 5K and your time OR tag us as you stay home and celebrate Thanksgiving: we won`t judge (and you still get a shirt as a virtual participant!)
Listen to Larry: be part of our road trip!!
Register and get more deets at: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Garner/FreedomRideRescueTurkeyDay5k
#newroute #pawitforward #GarnerNC #turkeyday5k #freedomriderescue
🎉🎈🎂 FRR Alum Mirabel! (aka Mir, Miri, Mirs, Mira, Little Bit) just celebrated her first birthday in October!
🐾 When she went to her first vet visit back in May, they guessed she’d top out at around 40 pounds, but this smart, sassy girl had other plans! At 13 months, she’s a solid 51 pounds of fun, fluff, and personality.
🐛Mirabel is always up for an adventure. She loves exploring the yard, playing with her furry neighbors through the fence, and keeping a very close eye on all the local voles and bugs.
😴🧸She’s a master stuffie destroyer, professional toy hoarder, and champion of sleeping in the strangest positions imaginable.
👀🐶 She absolutely adores her big brother Reese (age 13) and has picked up quite a few of his habits. Keeping watch from the back porch like a seasoned pro is a favorite!
😜 She loves bossing around her doggie brother, goofing off with her human brothers, and making everyone laugh with her silly antics.
🚫😂Her dislikes? The vacuum, the leaf blower, her dad’s motorcycle helmet, and the ever-suspicious yard waste can.
🎓Mirabel graduated from Beginner Education (go, girl!), and made the most of her first trip to the NC mountains! ⛰️
💜 She’s the perfect mix of sweet and spunky, and her family couldn’t imagine life without her.
👀 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!
Huge thanks to Nature’s Releaf for hosting our crew this past weekend! 🐾💚 We had such a great time hanging out with fellow dog-loving, pet-centered small businesses and celebrating the community that supports pups all across the Triangle. Days like this remind us why we love what we do!
And buckle up… because the next week is packed with Freedom Ride fun! 🚐🐶
We have several adoption events (and opportunities to pick up your Turkey Day 5k packets, if you registered to participate). Be sure to check out our full list of upcoming events so you don’t miss a single chance to meet your next furry family member.
https://www.facebook.com/freedomride.rescue/events
🏃♂️🦃 P.S. There’s still time to register for the Turkey Day 5K! Lace up, bring a friend (two- or four-legged!), and join us for a fun way to kick off Thanksgiving morning. https://www.freedom-ride.org/events/turkey-day-5k-2025/
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.