N.C. Non-Profit Animal Rescue

Give a Freedom Ride

In 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.

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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 “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.

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TEN days 'til TURKEY DAY! We have three packet pick ups before Thanksgiving where you can grab your runner shirt, swag bag and (for 5K only) bib in advance to spare waiting in line Thanksgiving morning!! If you cannot make one of the three pre-packet pick up events, registration opens at White Deer park at 7 am 11/26!!

The Zin Yoga and Deep River events are ALSO adoption events so come and maybe meet your best friend ... and have a running/walking partner for Turkey Day!!!!

Saturday 2 - 5 pm at Zin Yoga Studio and Wine lounge in Garner:
www.facebook.com/events/1828609534453644/?active_tab=discussion

Sunday 3 - 6 pm at Deep River Brewing in Clayton:
www.facebook.com/events/25622825647314424/?active_tab=discussion

Tuesday 5 - 7 pm Mordecai Beverage Company, Raleigh:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1182281630671573&set=gm.1931935430717731&type=3

Want more on the Turkey Day or want to register? PLEASE join us:
runsignup.com/Race/NC/Garner/FreedomRideRescueTurkeyDay5k
... See MoreSee Less

Freedom Ride Rescue's TURKEY DAY is MORE than a race Thanksgiving morning!!

As a runner, compete for an unique FRR award and Fleet Feet/Goodberry's gift card (*over/under age 16, respectively)!

NOT a runner? Come walk the 5K or a one mile option ... OR meander either route ... shop vendors ... VOLUNTEER ... eat freshly made doughnuts then get a Massage .... get your dog a free sample of bone broth ... try your luck winning over 20 prizes!!

We'll be done in plenty of time for you to get home for your holiday celebration!!

Learn more & register here: runsignup.com/Race/NC/Garner/FreedomRideRescueTurkeyDay5k

To volunteer, email turkeyday@freedom-ride.org - all ages welcometo cheer at critical places on the track! We also need adult to help organize parking and check in runners/walkers ... This fun event takes an ARMY Thanksgiving morning so join our road trip in whateve capacity you choose!

#pawitforward #freedomriderescue #garnernc #garner #whitedeerpark #turkeyday5k
... See MoreSee Less

🎉🐾 Happy Tails, October Edition! 🐾🎉

We’re celebrating 36 incredible dogs who found their forever families in October! 💛🏡 From tiny pups to seasoned seniors, each one is now curled up in a home where they’re safe, loved, and finally getting the happily-ever-after they deserve.

Watching these happy tails wag their way into new lives never gets old — it’s why we do what we do. ✨

As we head into the holiday season, we’re hoping even more of our dogs will find their perfect match. Here’s to cozy snuggles, warm homes, and many more freedom rides before the year ends.

💚🐶 Cheers to our adopters, fosters, volunteers, and every supporter who makes moments like these possible. Let’s keep the magic going!
... See MoreSee Less

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See us on Instagram

Browse our dogs in foster care and available for adoption!

TEN days 'til TURKEY DAY! We have three packet pick ups before Thanksgiving where you can grab your runner shirt, swag bag and (for 5K only) bib in advance to spare waiting in line Thanksgiving morning!! If you cannot make one of the three pre-packet pick up events, registration opens at White Deer park at 7 am 11/26!!

The Zin Yoga and Deep River events are ALSO adoption events so come and maybe meet your best friend ... and have a running/walking partner for Turkey Day!!!!

Saturday 2 - 5 pm at Zin Yoga Studio and Wine lounge in Garner:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1828609534453644/?active_tab=discussion

Sunday 3 - 6 pm at Deep River Brewing in Clayton:
https://www.facebook.com/events/25622825647314424/?active_tab=discussion

Tuesday 5 - 7 pm Mordecai Beverage Company, Raleigh:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1182281630671573&set=gm.1931935430717731&type=3

Want more on the Turkey Day or want to register? PLEASE join us:
https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Garner/FreedomRideRescueTurkeyDay5k
Freedom Ride Rescue's TURKEY DAY is MORE than a race Thanksgiving morning!! 

As a runner, compete for an unique FRR award and Fleet Feet/Goodberry's gift card (*over/under age 16, respectively)! 

NOT a runner? Come walk the 5K or a one mile option ... OR meander either route ... shop vendors ... VOLUNTEER ... eat freshly made doughnuts then get a Massage .... get your dog a free sample of bone broth ... try your luck winning over 20 prizes!! 

We'll be done in plenty of time for you to get home for your holiday celebration!!

Learn more & register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Garner/FreedomRideRescueTurkeyDay5k

To volunteer, email turkeyday@freedom-ride.org - all ages welcometo cheer at critical places on the track! We also need adult to help organize parking and check in runners/walkers ... This fun event takes an ARMY Thanksgiving morning so join our road trip in whateve capacity you choose! 

#pawitforward #freedomriderescue #garnernc  #garner #whitedeerpark #turkeyday5k
🎉🐾 Happy Tails, October Edition! 🐾🎉

We’re celebrating 36 incredible dogs who found their forever families in October! 💛🏡 From tiny pups to seasoned seniors, each one is now curled up in a home where they’re safe, loved, and finally getting the happily-ever-after they deserve.

Watching these happy tails wag their way into new lives never gets old — it’s why we do what we do. ✨

As we head into the holiday season, we’re hoping even more of our dogs will find their perfect match. Here’s to cozy snuggles, warm homes, and many more freedom rides before the year ends.

💚🐶 Cheers to our adopters, fosters, volunteers, and every supporter who makes moments like these possible. Let’s keep the magic going!
Katara is a GORGEOUS, sweet, amazing, 5-year-old gal who is looking for the perfect home to call her own. She only asks that the home be filled with lots of cozy beds and ample snacks. 

Read more about Katara: www.freedom-ride.org
🐾 Socialization ≠ Overstimulation 🐾

We love seeing people want to raise confident, well-adjusted puppies — but true socialization isn’t about passing your puppy around to every stranger or dropping them into chaotic playgroups with unfamiliar dogs.

Proper socialization means helping your puppy feel safe and positive in new situations.

It’s about:

🐾Introducing new sights, sounds, and people at your puppy’s pace
🐾Pairing new experiences with treats, praise, and calm reassurance
🐾Setting up controlled interactions with friendly, vaccinated dogs you know
🐾Teaching them to observe, not always interact

Pushing too much, too fast can actually cause fear instead of confidence. Take it slow, make it fun, and let your pup build trust one paw step at a time 💛
Otis is a smart guy who knows when he's being cheated out of the full-treat experience (and he WILL judge you for it). 

Otis is an amazing 5-year-old pittie pal who would love to find his perfect home. He loves people and cats, but would prefer a home where he's the only dog. He's a happy, goofy best buddy who loves going on adventures. 

Read more about this loving doggo on our website: www.freedom-ride.org
Our pups are naturally adoptable and they’re popping up at Nature’s Releaf Hemp Store in Raleigh this Saturday! Come meet some adorable dogs who are ready to bring calm vibes, good energy, and unconditional love into your life. 💚

📍 Nature’s Releaf – Raleigh
🗓️ Saturday
⏰ 2–4 PM

Whether you’re looking for a new best friend or just want a dose of puppy joy, we can’t wait to see you there! Come say hi, get some snuggles, and maybe meet your perfect match.

Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.”

~ 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 “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.

Upcoming Events

 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. 

Report Lost Pet