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.
💕🐶 Love Is in the Air… and we're ready for some fun! 🐶💕
Looking for a paws-itively perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day? Come fall in love with us at Clouds Brewing in Raleigh from 2–5 PM for an adoption event filled with fun, drinks, prizes, and the cutest furbabies around.
We’re bringing a whole crew of adorable, adoptable dogs who are ready to be someone’s forever Valentine. Whether you’re looking for your soulmate in fur form or just need some puppy kisses, we’ve got you covered.
✨ Here’s what’s in store:
🍸 Tito’s Handmade Vodka drink specials (huge supporters of rescue dogs — we love them!)
🧠 Trivia kicks off at 3 PM — come show off your smarts and win!
🛍️ Dog-loving local vendors Binky & Bell and Rescue Treats
🎟️ Raffle baskets you can snag tickets for (trust us… they’re GOOD)
🐾 And of course, plenty of adoptable pups ready to steal your heart
Bring your besties, your boo, or just yourself — because nothing says Valentine’s Day like puppy love and giving a rescue dog a second chance.
Spend your Valentine’s Day with Freedom Ride Rescue. 💘
Who knows… your forever love might be waiting. 🐕💞
When it comes to mealtime, most dogs need — and deserve — their own personal bubble.
Think about it this way: you wouldn’t want someone coming up to you, petting your head, hugging you, or sticking their hands in your plate while you’re trying to enjoy dinner. So we shouldn’t expect dogs to be comfortable with that either.
Yes, some dogs are incredibly easy-going and won’t react if you touch their bowl or walk by while they’re eating. But that doesn’t mean we should test them, take that for granted, or assume all dogs should behave that way. Most dogs naturally prefer a little peace and space during meals — and that’s completely normal behavior.
Why you should never bother a dog while they’re eating:
• It can create food guarding behaviors. Even dogs who weren’t previously concerned about their food can learn that they need to protect it if they’re repeatedly disturbed.
• It increases stress. Mealtime should feel safe. If a dog is tense or bracing for someone to approach, that stress adds up.
• It can escalate existing resource guarding. If a dog is already showing signs like stiffening, hovering over the bowl, eating faster, growling, or freezing — interfering will not “teach them a lesson.” It can push them to escalate their warning signals. Growling is communication. If we ignore it or punish it, the next step may be skipping the warning entirely.
• Safety matters — especially with kids. Children should be taught from day one: when a dog is eating (or enjoying a treat), we give them space.
A dog asking for space while eating isn’t being dominant or difficult — they’re being a dog. Our job is to set them up for success by managing the environment, feeding them in a quiet area, reading their cues, and respecting their boundaries.
Respect builds trust. And trust builds safe, happy homes. 💛🐶
💕🐾 Which Freedom Ride pup will be your furever Valentine? 🐾💕
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Your perfect match might be waiting… at Freedom Ride Rescue. ❤️
As we gear up for the big day of love tomorrow (prepare for a day FULL of cuteness on our socials), here's a look at ALL the amazing dogs available with FRR right now. This Valentine’s season, skip the chocolates and fall in love with something that lasts forever. Our adoptable dogs are ready to be your couch cuddle buddy, hiking partner, kitchen supervisor, and loyal best friend all in one.
When you adopt, you’re not just bringing home a dog — you’re gaining unconditional love, daily tail wags, and a forever Valentine who will never ghost you. 💌🐶
✨ Adopt the love of your life — and you’ll never be lonely again. ✨
Browse our available pups and submit your application today!
www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
See us on Instagram
Browse our dogs in foster care and available for adoption!
💕🐶 Love Is in the Air… and we`re ready for some fun! 🐶💕
Looking for a paws-itively perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day? Come fall in love with us at Clouds Brewing in Raleigh from 2–5 PM for an adoption event filled with fun, drinks, prizes, and the cutest furbabies around.
We’re bringing a whole crew of adorable, adoptable dogs who are ready to be someone’s forever Valentine. Whether you’re looking for your soulmate in fur form or just need some puppy kisses, we’ve got you covered.
✨ Here’s what’s in store:
🍸 Tito’s Handmade Vodka drink specials (huge supporters of rescue dogs — we love them!)
🧠 Trivia kicks off at 3 PM — come show off your smarts and win!
🛍️ Dog-loving local vendors Binky & Bell and Rescue Treats
🎟️ Raffle baskets you can snag tickets for (trust us… they’re GOOD)
🐾 And of course, plenty of adoptable pups ready to steal your heart
Bring your besties, your boo, or just yourself — because nothing says Valentine’s Day like puppy love and giving a rescue dog a second chance.
Spend your Valentine’s Day with Freedom Ride Rescue. 💘
Who knows… your forever love might be waiting. 🐕💞
❤️❤️FOSTER NEEDED!!🚨🚨 Darling little pup is in need of a foster. She is a sweetheart, with short legs so possibly a doxy mix. 20lbs and 16 weeks old! If you can help foster this baby girl please email jennifer@freedom-ride.org today!
When it comes to mealtime, most dogs need — and deserve — their own personal bubble.
Think about it this way: you wouldn’t want someone coming up to you, petting your head, hugging you, or sticking their hands in your plate while you’re trying to enjoy dinner. So we shouldn’t expect dogs to be comfortable with that either.
Yes, some dogs are incredibly easy-going and won’t react if you touch their bowl or walk by while they’re eating. But that doesn’t mean we should test them, take that for granted, or assume all dogs should behave that way. Most dogs naturally prefer a little peace and space during meals — and that’s completely normal behavior.
Why you should never bother a dog while they’re eating:
• It can create food guarding behaviors. Even dogs who weren’t previously concerned about their food can learn that they need to protect it if they’re repeatedly disturbed.
• It increases stress. Mealtime should feel safe. If a dog is tense or bracing for someone to approach, that stress adds up.
• It can escalate existing resource guarding. If a dog is already showing signs like stiffening, hovering over the bowl, eating faster, growling, or freezing — interfering will not “teach them a lesson.” It can push them to escalate their warning signals. Growling is communication. If we ignore it or punish it, the next step may be skipping the warning entirely.
• Safety matters — especially with kids. Children should be taught from day one: when a dog is eating (or enjoying a treat), we give them space.
A dog asking for space while eating isn’t being dominant or difficult — they’re being a dog. Our job is to set them up for success by managing the environment, feeding them in a quiet area, reading their cues, and respecting their boundaries.
Respect builds trust. And trust builds safe, happy homes. 💛🐶
💕🐾 Which Freedom Ride pup will be your furever Valentine? 🐾💕
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Your perfect match might be waiting… at Freedom Ride Rescue. ❤️
As we gear up for the big day of love tomorrow (prepare for a day FULL of cuteness on our socials), here`s a look at ALL the amazing dogs available with FRR right now. This Valentine’s season, skip the chocolates and fall in love with something that lasts forever. Our adoptable dogs are ready to be your couch cuddle buddy, hiking partner, kitchen supervisor, and loyal best friend all in one.
When you adopt, you’re not just bringing home a dog — you’re gaining unconditional love, daily tail wags, and a forever Valentine who will never ghost you. 💌🐶
✨ Adopt the love of your life — and you’ll never be lonely again. ✨
Browse our available pups and submit your application today!
www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
Meet Patti, our resident beagle with a world-class sniffer and an Olympic-level talent for finding snacks anywhere. Patti`s nose knows.
She’s sweet, charming, and very persuasive when it comes to treats—and honestly, who could say no to that face? Patti promises to repay all snack donations with tail wags, soulful beagle eyes, and top-tier companionship. 💛
10/10 good doggo.
12/10 snack detector.
Apply to meet Patti: www.freedom-ride.org
MEDICAL UPDATES on Niva and Crumbles who will BOTH be at our "Woof You Be MINE" event Saturday at Clouds in Raleigh from 2 - 5 pm (https://www.facebook.com/events/2157438275012369)
First: little Niva got a clean bill of health yesterday from @fallsvillage.vethospital! She had a horrible reaction to her heartworm treatment. We weren`t sure she`d survive - and an amazing vet assistant (and FRR rock star), Julie Pellicore, took her back and forth from work to home at the start to give her around the clock care, meds and fluids. Once she began to turn the corner, we were still INCREDIBLY worried she`d have long-term issues with her kidneys. Thank you Falls, Julie and her incredible fosters, Kristy and Brian Kelderman, for the dedication and commitment to keeping this little 3.5 year-old in this world. She`s now available for adoption!!!
Second is our tiny little Crumble. This adorable 2-year-old spent her entire life outside in the elements. When we got her, she was covered in sores with major infections (skin, ear, eyes ...) She was also emaciated. It`s been a slow road, but with a lot of creativity from Falls Village Vet and Julie have her looking and feeling great!! Today her testing went well, and she also got a great report card ... so she is looking forward to her debut event Saturday!!
So come get your pet`s photo taken, buy a couple of raffle tickets and have a cold beer at Clouds Taproom! All money raised help us be able to help dogs like Niva and Crumbles!!
💛 FRR Alum Miller is the definition of a foster fail turned happily-ever-after!
😎🍺To think that he was found living in a deep hole… and now? Miller is absolutely living the dream. His nickname stuck from when he was skinny, so of course he rocks a Miller Lite collar that proudly says “It’s Miller Time” — iconic.
🐾 This handsome boy is officially a Pit Pei with DNA results showing 50% Shar Pei, 42% Pit Bull, and 8% Boxer — the perfect mix of wrinkles, muscles, and charm. 💪🐕
🐕Miller has grown so much and experienced more love than he ever knew was possible in the past year!
😌 He has made lots of new friends at daycare, moved into a new home with a big backyard and plenty of deer to bark at 🦌🏡, tried his very first pup cup 🧁, supervised construction projects like the responsible guy he is 👷♂️, enjoyed countless cozy naps 💤, hosted his cousins 🐶, and even had his very own Christmas stocking 🎄🧦.
💕From a hole in the ground to a heart full of love, Miller’s journey is nothing short of amazing!
👀 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!
Captain is clearly very busy perfecting the art of relaxation. From his comfy couch command center, he’s proving that productivity looks a lot like naps, snacks, and being irresistibly cute.
Think you’ve got room on your couch (and in your heart) for this hardworking guy? Captain is ready to report for full-time snuggles. 💛🐶
Apply to meet Captain! www.freedom-ride.org
❤🐶 Woof You Be Mine? 🐶❤
What better day than Valentine’s Day to fall head over paws in love? 💘
Join Freedom Ride Rescue at Clouds Brewing Taproom for an afternoon full of tail wags, puppy kisses, and maybe even meeting your furever Valentine. Our fosters have SO much love to give — and we’d love to help them find their perfect people.
Looking for your soulmate? They might have four legs and a wagging tail. 🐾
📍 Clouds Brewing Taproom
1233 Front Street, Raleigh
🗓 Saturday, February 14th
⏰ 2–5 PM
Consider giving FRR a little of your time (and heart) this Valentine’s Day. Come sip, snuggle, and maybe take home your new best friend. 💕
PUPdate: Teefers has a foster! 🎉 ATTENTION PUG LOVERS: this toothy boy is in need of a foster. He is a favorite among shelter staff, and so chill and prefers to just laze around in his bed despite the chaos of the shelter. He’s dog friendly, 4 years old and 27lbs. If you can help this sweet boy out by becoming a foster, email jennifer@freedom-ride.org today!
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.