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.
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: 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.
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. www.freedom-ride.org/events/turkey-day-5k-2025/
See us on Instagram
Browse our dogs in foster care and available for adoption!
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/
🎭🐾 Meet Drama… who is anything but dramatic!
Don’t let the name fool you — this adorable brindle beauty brings zero chaos and all the charm. Drama is a bouncy, happy little pup who hops around like a tiny rabbit, soaks up snuggles, and thinks every day is a good day.
She’s young, fun, and learning all the important puppy skills. She naps like a champ in her crate, loves playtime, and is doing great with the kids in her foster home. The only thing dramatic about her? How dramatically cute she is. 😍
If you’re looking for a joyful, silly, heart-melting puppy to brighten your home, Drama is ready for her big debut in your life!
👉 Apply on our website to meet her!
www.freedom-ride.org
🐾✨ DOUBLE ADOPTION WEEKEND! ✨🐾
Two events, two chances to meet your new best friend — and support a great cause! Swipe ➡️ for all the details!
🧘♀️🍷 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙊𝙣𝙚: Zen with Zuzu
📅 Saturday, November 22
⏰ 2–5 PM
📍 Zin Yoga & Wine — Garner, NC
Find your inner calm AND your new furry companion! Come sip, stretch, and snuggle with adoptable pups. Zuzu and friends can’t wait to meet you! 💛🐶
🍻🐶 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙏𝙬𝙤: Yappy Hour is BACK!
📅 Sunday, November 23
⏰ 3–6 PM
📍 Deep River Brewing Co.
Hosted by Happy Hounds Pet Care, this tail-waggin’ good time features adoptable pups, great beer, and good vibes.
✨ For every beer sold, $1 is donated to Freedom Ride Rescue to help more dogs find their forever homes. ❤️
Bring your four-legged friends, grab a pint, and enjoy an afternoon full of puppy love and community cheer! 🍺🐕
🏃♂️🦃 Turkey Day 5K
Race packets will be available for pickup at both events!
Turkey Time! The awards are in… The shirts are on the way… It’s getting real folks! One week from tomorrow will be the 9th annual Turkey Day 5K at White Deer Park in Garner…
We have vendors, raffle, dog treats, massages… More than just a race! And it’s our biggest fundraiser of the year! We hope to see you… Can’t make it? Then join us as a virtual runner!!
The dogs of FRR thank you!
Freedom-ride.org/turkeyday.
Aurora is a breathtaking, big-hearted, big-fluff kind of girl who’s ready to be your best friend in all the best ways. This stunning large-breed beauty loves nothing more than:
🛋️ Snuggling on the couch
🌿 Finding the perfect stick to chew
👗 Getting all dressed up for a night on the town (she knows she looks fabulous)
She’s soft, sweet, stylish, and so full of love — the total package wrapped in fluff. If you’ve been dreaming of a beautiful companion who can match your outdoor adventures and your couch potato moments, Aurora is your girl.
👉 Check her out on our website and apply to meet this lovable, luxurious fluff queen!
www.freedom-ride.org
🚨🚨FOSTER NEEDED!!🚨🚨We’re looking for a compassionate foster home for a very special little dog who has survived more than most of us could imagine. This sweet senior spent her life being bred in a puppy mill, and despite everything she’s endured, she still has a loving spirit and so much life to live. Simone is 10 yrs old, weighs 10 lbs is dog friendly and very loving. Please PM me if interested in helping her. She needs a foster as soon as possible. Please email jennifer@freedom-ride.org if you can help!
Our girl Salami is serving up some serious midweek mood — and honestly, we feel it. But grumpy face aside, this sweet little Chihuahua mix is anything but rude. She’s loving, loyal, and ready to find the family who will adore her as much as she deserves. 💛
Whether she’s giving you side-eye about the calendar or curling up for snuggles, Salami brings big personality in a tiny, adorable package.
If you’re looking for a pint-sized companion with expressive eyebrows and a heart of gold, Salami is your girl. 🐶✨
👉 Check her out on our website and apply to meet her!
www.freedom-ride.org
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.