N.C. Non-Profit Animal Rescue

Give a Freedom Ride

In the rescue world, a ā€œFreedom Rideā€ 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 ā€œFreedom Rideā€ 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 areĀ 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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Stay up to date with current adoptable dogs, available fosters, events and more.

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🐾 FRR Alum Lua (FKA Jelly) is a true lover of the great outdoors! She thrives on camping trips and enjoys curling up in her fluffy bed, breathing in the fresh air, and sleeping peacefully under the stars like a seasoned nature queen 🌲✨

🧬🐶According to her Ancestry DNA results, Lua is a beautiful blend of 51% American Pit Bull Terrier, 14% Labrador Retriever, 13% Chow Chow, and 11% Black and Tan Coonhound—a perfect mix of sweetness, loyalty, and playful curiosity.

🌟Lua is an absolute rockstar foster sister! She has lovingly helped her family foster 14 dogs and puppies, patiently waiting until they’re ready to play—and once they are, she love love loves joining in on the fun. šŸ•šŸŽ¾ Watching Lua light up while playing with fosters brings her mom so much happiness, because Lua’s joy is truly contagious šŸ’›

šŸŽ‰She turned two years old in November and has fully embraced her role as the household inspector. Lua has a special talent for snacking on inanimate objects (ID tags and toy bins beware šŸ˜…) and recently took her job very seriously by supervising—and thoroughly inspecting—all the presents her mom was wrapping. šŸŽšŸ‘€

šŸ›‹ļøšŸ¤Adopted as a puppy, Lua is a certified snuggle expert who absolutely hates being left out of anything. If there’s a lap, a couch, or a cozy moment happening, she plans to be part of it.

šŸŒ§ļøRainy, muddy days are her favorite excuse to dig to her heart’s content, and while she has plenty of toys, her true favorite will always be her mom’s scrunchies (sorry, Mom! šŸ’ā€ā™€ļøšŸ˜‚).

šŸ” One of Lua’s happiest places is Grandma’s house, where she gets to zoom around the fenced yard living her very best life. With her gentle heart, playful spirit, and endless love to give, Lua is truly one-of-a-kind—and everyone who meets her is better for it. šŸ’–

šŸ‘€ 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!
... See MoreSee Less

Remington and Colt are adorable 2-month-old, mixed-breed pups. Each of these cuties is looking for a home of their very own (remember, we don't adopt siblings out together!). Read more about them and submit an application on our website: www.freedom-ride.org ... See MoreSee Less

Ever wonder ā€œWho’s a good dog?ā€ 🐶
The answer is simple: the one you haven’t met yet! šŸ’›

Join Freedom Ride Rescue this Saturday, January 17th from 2–4 PM at Owl’s Roost Brewery to meet amazing dogs and puppies ready to bring joy, cuddles, and endless love into your life.

Grab a drink, make a new furry friend, and maybe meet your future best friend. 🐾
We can’t wait to see you there!

#FreedomRideRescue #AdoptDontShop #AdoptionEvent #GoodDogEnergy #RescueDogs #PuppyLove #OwlsRoostBrewery
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Browse our dogs in foster care and available for adoption!

🐾 FRR Alum Lua (FKA Jelly) is a true lover of the great outdoors! She thrives on camping trips and enjoys curling up in her fluffy bed, breathing in the fresh air, and sleeping peacefully under the stars like a seasoned nature queen 🌲✨ 

🧬🐶According to her Ancestry DNA results, Lua is a beautiful blend of 51% American Pit Bull Terrier, 14% Labrador Retriever, 13% Chow Chow, and 11% Black and Tan Coonhound—a perfect mix of sweetness, loyalty, and playful curiosity.

🌟Lua is an absolute rockstar foster sister! She has lovingly helped her family foster 14 dogs and puppies, patiently waiting until they’re ready to play—and once they are, she love love loves joining in on the fun. šŸ•šŸŽ¾ Watching Lua light up while playing with fosters brings her mom so much happiness, because Lua’s joy is truly contagious šŸ’›

šŸŽ‰She turned two years old in November and has fully embraced her role as the household inspector. Lua has a special talent for snacking on inanimate objects (ID tags and toy bins beware šŸ˜…) and recently took her job very seriously by supervising—and thoroughly inspecting—all the presents her mom was wrapping. šŸŽšŸ‘€

šŸ›‹ļøšŸ¤Adopted as a puppy, Lua is a certified snuggle expert who absolutely hates being left out of anything. If there’s a lap, a couch, or a cozy moment happening, she plans to be part of it. 

šŸŒ§ļøRainy, muddy days are her favorite excuse to dig to her heart’s content, and while she has plenty of toys, her true favorite will always be her mom’s scrunchies (sorry, Mom! šŸ’ā€ā™€ļøšŸ˜‚).

šŸ” One of Lua’s happiest places is Grandma’s house, where she gets to zoom around the fenced yard living her very best life. With her gentle heart, playful spirit, and endless love to give, Lua is truly one-of-a-kind—and everyone who meets her is better for it. šŸ’–

šŸ‘€ 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!
Remington and Colt are adorable 2-month-old, mixed-breed pups. Each of these cuties is looking for a home of their very own (remember, we don't adopt siblings out together!). Read more about them and submit an application on our website: www.freedom-ride.org
Start your year off with something that truly matters: a new family member. 🐾

At Freedom Ride Rescue, we have so many amazing dogs available for adoption, and new faces are being added to our website all the time. Whether you’re looking for a playful puppy, a loyal adventure buddy, or a cozy couch companion, your perfect match could be waiting for you right now.

Make 2026 the year you add more love, laughter, and happiness to your life—adopt a dog and start the year with a forever kind of joy.

Read about all of our adoptable dogs and submit an application: www.freedom-ride.org
Start your year off with something that truly matters: a new family member. 🐾

At Freedom Ride Rescue, we have so many amazing dogs available for adoption, and new faces are being added to our website all the time. Whether you’re looking for a playful puppy, a loyal adventure buddy, or a cozy couch companion, your perfect match could be waiting for you right now.

Make 2026 the year you add more love, laughter, and happiness to your life—adopt a dog and start the year with a forever kind of joy.

Read about all of our adoptable dogs and submit an application: www.freedom-ride.org
And we're back! With everyone's favorite Tuesday tradition. Here's your first Tuesday Trivia nugget of the new year!
Start your year off with something that truly matters: a new family member. 🐾

At Freedom Ride Rescue, we have so many amazing dogs available for adoption, and new faces are being added to our website all the time. Whether you’re looking for a playful puppy, a loyal adventure buddy, or a cozy couch companion, your perfect match could be waiting for you right now.

Make 2026 the year you add more love, laughter, and happiness to your life—adopt a dog and start the year with a forever kind of joy.

Read about all of our adoptable dogs and submit an application: www.freedom-ride.org
Friendly competition AND get great doggy treats? Yes please! NC Rescue Treats is a regular supporter of rescues and has asked our supporters to fundraise for FRR by selling these healthy canine cookies. 

Sell as many bags as you can by Jan. 31 and the top seller wins $100 (second place gets $50 and third place - $25). Take your order forms to neighbors, work, social groups, etc. - you can even post it on your social media accounts and take orders over the phone. A fun way to engage kids, too!

We will announce winners (and have threats for pick up) at our Clouds Taproom Valentine's Party on Feb. 14!

Each bag is $10 (and FRR gets $4 per sale). Email gwenn@freedom-ride.org to participate - Let's raise some money!

#ncrescuetreats #rescuetreats #pawitforward #freedomriderescue

Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.ā€

~ 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 ā€œFreedom Rideā€ 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 personĀ as they start their most life’s wonderful chapter: the one as a cherished pet.

Upcoming Events

Ā 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.Ā 

Report Lost Pet