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!
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Stay up to date with current adoptable dogs, available fosters, events and more.
Freedom Ride needs YOU!
If you've ever wanted to get involved, we'd love to have you! There are so many ways you can help our organization and we'd love to tell you about all of them so you can find something that fits what you have to give.
As a non-profit, we really rely on donations to help keep us running. That may be monetary donations, supplies for our foster dogs, or awesome things we can raffle off to raise money. If you're the kind of person who is good at coordinating with groups/businesses to set up supply drives--we want YOU! If you've got connections in the community and think you may be able to snag us some donated swag/gift cards/cools stuff--we want YOU! If you are the kind of person who doesn't mind calling/dropping by local businesses to ask for donations--we REALLY want YOU!!
Apply to volunteer with us at:
www.freedom-ride.org
This distinguished gentleman is basically perfection wrapped in a soft, snuggly package. Bootleg is a medium-large boy with a full-on lapdog mentality—if there’s a couch (and a human), he’s ready to curl up and claim his spot 💕
Bootleg is as sweet as they come. He loves people, gets along great with other dogs, and is even cat-friendly—truly a social butterfly with the chillest vibe. Despite his hound roots, he’s a quiet housemate, only letting out the occasional adorable “old man groan” during a good stretch 😌
Low energy? Check.
Leisurely strolls and sniff sessions? Check.
Professional napper? Double check. 💤
He’s also a total gentleman—crate trained, potty trained, and great in the car. Honestly, he’s the kind of dog who just fits seamlessly into your life.
If you’re looking for an easygoing, affectionate companion who will happily lounge by your side and love you endlessly, Bootleg might just be your perfect match 💛
Apply to meet this sweet boy today 🐶✨
www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
See us on Instagram
Browse our dogs in foster care and available for adoption!
Freedom Ride needs YOU!
If you`ve ever wanted to get involved, we`d love to have you! There are so many ways you can help our organization and we`d love to tell you about all of them so you can find something that fits what you have to give.
As a non-profit, we really rely on donations to help keep us running. That may be monetary donations, supplies for our foster dogs, or awesome things we can raffle off to raise money. If you`re the kind of person who is good at coordinating with groups/businesses to set up supply drives--we want YOU! If you`ve got connections in the community and think you may be able to snag us some donated swag/gift cards/cools stuff--we want YOU! If you are the kind of person who doesn`t mind calling/dropping by local businesses to ask for donations--we REALLY want YOU!!
Apply to volunteer with us at:
www.freedom-ride.org
This distinguished gentleman is basically perfection wrapped in a soft, snuggly package. Bootleg is a medium-large boy with a full-on lapdog mentality—if there’s a couch (and a human), he’s ready to curl up and claim his spot 💕
Bootleg is as sweet as they come. He loves people, gets along great with other dogs, and is even cat-friendly—truly a social butterfly with the chillest vibe. Despite his hound roots, he’s a quiet housemate, only letting out the occasional adorable “old man groan” during a good stretch 😌
Low energy? Check.
Leisurely strolls and sniff sessions? Check.
Professional napper? Double check. 💤
He’s also a total gentleman—crate trained, potty trained, and great in the car. Honestly, he’s the kind of dog who just fits seamlessly into your life.
If you’re looking for an easygoing, affectionate companion who will happily lounge by your side and love you endlessly, Bootleg might just be your perfect match 💛
Apply to meet this sweet boy today 🐶✨
www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
We’ve got a jam-packed weekend ahead and you won’t want to miss it 🐾✨
Mark your calendars and come see us out and about supporting rescue dogs all weekend long:
🛍️ Saturday (9 AM–1 PM)
Start your day at our Yard Sale (605 N. Boundary St.)—shop for treasures while supporting rescue dogs like Peggy! Every purchase helps us save lives. Wander around the Oakwood neighborhood and find some yard sale wins while you love on adoptable dogs 🐶
🎻 Saturday (12–6 PM)
This one is a BIG ONE! Catch us at the Cuegrass Festival in Downtown Raleigh on Fayetteville Street—live music, good vibes, and adoptable pups ready to steal your heart 💛. This is one of our favorite events, sponsored by The Pit Restaurant. Head to Fayetteville Street for delicious food, music, fun, and adoptable dogs.
Here`s the festival website to get more info about what to expect: https://www.cuegrass.com/
🍻 Sunday (2–4 PM)
Wrap up the weekend with some “Canned with Cuteness” at Mason Jar Lager Company in Fuquay (make sure you put in the right Mason Jar address in your GPS. We`ll be at the one on E. Broad Street!) —cold drinks + adoptable doggos = the perfect combo 🍺🐾
No matter where you find us, you’ll get your fill of puppy snuggles, meet some amazing adoptable dogs, and help support our mission.
Come hang with us, bring your friends, and maybe even meet your new best friend 💕
Sunshine, snuggles, and SO many kisses ☀️🐾
Meet Saydie—your future little shadow and professional cuddle bug 💕
She may be a tiny bit shy at first, but give her just a few minutes and she’ll be following you from room to room, hopping into your lap, and covering you in sweet kisses. At night? Her favorite place is curled up in your arms, soaking up all the love and closeness she can get 🥹
Saydie has been through a lot—she came to us in rough shape and had to be shaved down due to severe matting—but her gentle, loving spirit never wavered. She’s healing beautifully and showing everyone just how resilient (and sweet!) she truly is 💛
This girl is a sun worshipper through and through. Her perfect day? Lounging outside in the sunshine or perched by a window like a little cat, just watching the world go by 🌿✨
She does great with kids and cats, and while she’s still figuring out her comfort level with other dogs, she’d likely be happiest as your one-and-only or with a calm, respectful canine companion.
Saydie is still working on house training and building confidence, and she’ll do best with a patient, loving family who can give her consistency and help her feel safe and secure. In return, you’ll get a deeply devoted, affectionate companion who will love you with her whole heart.
If you’re looking for a sweet, snuggly sunshine girl to share your days (and your couch), Saydie is ready to be your perfect match ☀️🐶💖
www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
🚨 FOSTERS NEEDED!🚨Meet Warren and Shirley, a brother and sister pair who both need separate foster homes so Freedom Ride Rescue can bring them to safety.
Warren is 3 years old, about 60 lbs, neutered, and heartworm positive (FRR will cover treatment). He is a very sweet boy who does well with other dogs and would make an easy addition to a foster home.
Shirley is also 3 years old and about 50 lbs. She is spayed and heartworm positive (FRR will cover treatment). She is a little more shy than her brother and would really benefit from having a confident dog friend in her foster home to help her settle in and feel comfortable.
These two do not need to be fostered together. We just need two loving homes willing to give them a safe place to land so we can say yes to helping them.
Swipe to see their dog-test videos.
Freedom Ride Rescue covers all medical care and supplies. You just provide the safe, loving home.
Email jennifer@freedom-ride.org if you can help foster Warren or Shirley.
Sweet like candy… with just the right amount of sass 🍬🐾
Meet Candy—a petite little lovebug who’s equal parts playful and devoted. She’s all about toy time, zoomies with her dog friends, and then VIP snuggle sessions with her person (sharing optional 😉).
Candy is house-trained, sleeps like a dream in her crate, and loves her daily walks. She’d do best with someone who’s home often—because being near her people is her favorite thing in the world 💛
She’s smart, spunky, a little chatty (so no apartment life for this girl!), and full of personality. Basically… she’s the whole package ✨
Looking for a loyal little sidekick with a sprinkle of sass? Candy might be your perfect match 🐶💕
www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
Sweet as her name… meet Caramel 🍯🐾
This petite, fluffy girl is basically a walking dose of happiness—complete with the cutest curly tail and a heart full of love. At around 1 year old and ~30 lbs, she’s the perfect “just right” size for couch snuggles and tagging along on all your adventures 💛
Caramel may not have had the sweetest start, but you’d never know it. She’s gentle, affectionate, and all about the cozy life—think belly rubs, snuggles, and rolling around in the grass like it’s her own personal spa day 🌿✨
Like any young pup, she’s still working on house training, but with a little patience and consistency, she’s going to absolutely shine.
If you’re looking for a loving, loyal companion who will melt right into your heart (and your couch), Caramel is your girl 💕
Apply to meet her today ✨
www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
FRR Alum Forrest was his family’s 8th foster pup with FRR in 2025, and he ended up exactly where he was meant to be! 🥰 Now about 9 months old, Forrest is a happy, growing pup with so much love to give.
🧬 After a DNA test, it turns out Forrest is a true hound mix through and through. 😆 His primary breeds include 30% Bluetick Coonhound, 21% American Foxhound, 13% Beagle, 9% Treeing Walker Coonhound, and 5% Redbone Coonhound—basically, a little bit of every hound you could imagine!
🌳 Forrest is an outdoor enthusiast at heart. He loves long scent walks in the woods, watching birds, and soaking up all the sights and smells nature has to offer. When he’s not exploring, he’s all about playtime with toys or stretching out for a cozy nap in the sunshine. ☀️
🐶 Living with two fur siblings, Forrest definitely leans into that “youngest child syndrome”—he loves to try and boss them around! He’s also a vocal boy and isn’t shy about expressing himself. That classic hound howl makes sure everyone knows exactly what he wants (and when he wants it)! 🎶
🎓🍻 Forrest recently completed his first round of “Drink With Your Dog” training through Social Pup Raleigh, helping him build confidence and calmness in dog-friendly public spaces. He’ll be starting Level 2 soon and already enjoys visiting local breweries and patios like a pro!
❤️ His family absolutely adores him and is so grateful to FRR for bringing him into their lives. Forrest is truly the perfect fit, and his story is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the right dog just finds their way 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!
Meet Floki—your future best friend with the softest fur and the sweetest soul. He had a rough start, but you’d never know it now. With a little time, patience, and love, he’s blossoming into the most affectionate, playful boy.
Floki’s favorite things? Snuggling up with his person, zooming around the yard with his doggy friends, chewing on his toys… and let’s not forget—this boy LOVES his snacks 🍖😄
He’s a smart cookie, too! Floki already knows commands like sit, stay, and come, and he’s doing great with potty training (almost there!). He’s still a bit unsure about leashes and crates, so he’ll need a patient adopter who can help him continue building confidence and show him the world isn’t so scary.
A home with another dog and a fenced yard would be his dream—he’d love a buddy to show him the ropes and a safe space to run and play while he learns.
Floki has come such a long way, and he’s ready to give his whole heart to a family who will love him right back 💕
Think this fluffy lovebug might be your perfect match? Apply to meet Floki today 🐶✨
www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption
TRIPLE EVENT WEEKEND with Freedom Ride Rescue! 🎉
We’ve got THREE chances this weekend to shop, sip, socialize, and meet some adorable adoptable dogs — and we’d love to see you at one (or all!) of them!
🛍️ SATURDAY MORNING: Historic Oakwood Neighborhood Yard Sale
📍 605 N Boundary Street, Raleigh
🕘 9am–1pm
It’s the annual Historic Oakwood Yard Sale and OUR HOUSE IS A FUNDRAISER! Come treasure hunt for amazing finds while supporting Freedom Ride Rescue — every dollar raised at our location goes directly to the dogs. Score something special and consider donating generously to help us keep saving lives! 🐶💛
🎶 SATURDAY AFTERNOON: ‘Cuegrass Festival
📍 Downtown Raleigh (Fayetteville Street)
🕛 12pm–6pm
Next, head downtown and join us (and some of our adoptable pups!) at the 16th annual ‘Cuegrass Festival! Enjoy great BBQ, local brews, and toe-tappin’ bluegrass music while supporting an incredible cause.
100% of funds raised at ‘Cuegrass benefit: Freedom Ride Rescue, SAFEchild, The Occoneechee Council of Boy Scouts of America, Broughton Capital Foundation, and Arts Together. We’re honored to be part of this amazing day of community support!
🐾 SUNDAY: “Canned with Cuteness” Adoption Event
📍 Mason Jar Lager Company
🕑 2pm–4pm
We’re wrapping up the weekend with the sweetest batch yet! Join us for cold drinks, great company, and some adorable adoptable dogs looking for their forever homes. Come sip, socialize, and maybe meet your new best friend. 🍻🐕
Check our event page closer to the weekend for maps and which adoptable dogs you can meet at each event!
See you this weekend, FRR friends! 💛
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.