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!

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Stay up to date with current adoptable dogs, available fosters, events and more.

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🌟💗 Someone Explain… HOW Is Rosalina Still Available?! 💗🌟

Seriously — we’re baffled. Confused. Completely perplexed.
Because Rosalina is everything anyone could ever want in a dog: gorgeous, loving, gentle, snuggly, well-mannered, and absolutely overflowing with sweetness.

Just one perfect pup still searching for the perfect match.

If you’ve been hoping for a sign — THIS IS IT.
Rosalina is ready to be someone’s whole world, and we can’t believe she hasn’t been scooped up already.

💗 Come meet this incredible girl and see for yourself why we’re all obsessed.
Your new best friend might just be Rosalina. 🐾✨

www.freedom-ride.org
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🌨️✨ EVENT 1: Snow Much Love at Makrs Downtown Raleigh

📍 Downtown Raleigh
🕚 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Ready to fall in love this winter?
Join us at the Makrs event and meet dozens of incredible dogs—playful pups, cuddly companions, and gentle seniors—all dreaming of a forever home and a warm lap to snuggle on. 💖🐶
Come shop local, say hi, and maybe meet your new best friend!

🎄🐶 EVENT 2: Pho-Ho-Ho-tos with Santa

📍 Rosecomb Beer Garden, Parkside Town Commons
1143 Parkside Main St., Cary, NC 27519
🕝 2:30–5:30 PM

We’re thrilled to be hosted by Canine Community Outreach of NC for one of our favorite annual traditions—holiday dog photos with (and without!) Santa! 🎅📸

Your minimum donation of $25 supports CCO’s spay/neuter campaign for dogs in need.
🐾 First 20 paid registrants receive a festive treat bag!
🐾 All participants get digital photos by Ashley of Assorted Poppies Photo!

👉 Multiple dogs?
$25 for the first pup + $10 for each additional.

🕒 Schedule:
• 2:30–3:30 PM: Photos without Santa
• 3:30–5:30 PM: Photos with Santa

✨ Plus at Rosecomb:

Raffle with awesome prizes!

Meet adoptable Freedom Ride pups!

Drinks from Rosecomb Beer Garden

Tons of food options nearby

More fun surprises coming soon!

Come spread the love, support rescue dogs, and enjoy a magical start to the season with us! ❄️💖🐾
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A huge congrats to all of the runners, dog and walkers who completed the 5K this year ... but our SUPERSTAR runners are the 46 runners who received awards at the 9th annual Turkey Day 5K! We are humbled by the speed of Brian Gonda and Riley Wilcox (with times of 16:22:77 and 16:54:20 respectively) and Delaney Bundy and Shelly Rivera (19:22:94 and 20:36:81). We are grateful to Fleet Feet (16 and older winners) and Goodberry's Frozen Custard for the gift cards donated for winners!

See all results at: runsignup.com/Race/Results/114262#resultSetId-609150;perpage:100

We had to alter the 5K route this year due to some park construction and the FRR core came through to make it happen! Thank you, Jen Craver @jen_craver5, Christie Walker @cnwalker83, Allie Jacobs, Larry Hughes, Shawn Ryan and Michelle Connor for making sure we were long enough (and safe!)

Route feedback has been positive - let us know what you thought (good and bad please: turkeyday@freedom-ride.org). Then mark your calendars for the 10th annual on Thanksgiving morning 2026!
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See us on Instagram

Browse our dogs in foster care and available for adoption!

🌟💗 Someone Explain… HOW Is Rosalina Still Available?! 💗🌟

Seriously — we’re baffled. Confused. Completely perplexed.
Because Rosalina is everything anyone could ever want in a dog: gorgeous, loving, gentle, snuggly, well-mannered, and absolutely overflowing with sweetness.

Just one perfect pup still searching for the perfect match.

If you’ve been hoping for a sign — THIS IS IT.
Rosalina is ready to be someone’s whole world, and we can’t believe she hasn’t been scooped up already.

💗 Come meet this incredible girl and see for yourself why we’re all obsessed.
Your new best friend might just be Rosalina. 🐾✨

www.freedom-ride.org
A huge congrats to all of the runners, dog and walkers who completed the 5K this year ... but our SUPERSTAR runners are the 46 runners who received awards at the 9th annual Turkey Day 5K! We are humbled by the speed of Brian Gonda and Riley Wilcox (with times of 16:22:77 and 16:54:20 respectively) and Delaney Bundy and Shelly Rivera (19:22:94 and 20:36:81). We are grateful to Fleet Feet (16 and older winners) and Goodberry's Frozen Custard for the gift cards donated for winners!

See all results at: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/114262#resultSetId-609150;perpage:100

We had to alter the 5K route this year due to some park construction and the FRR core came through to make it happen! Thank you, Jen Craver @jen_craver5, Christie Walker @cnwalker83, Allie Jacobs, Larry Hughes, Shawn Ryan and Michelle Connor for making sure we were long enough (and safe!)

Route feedback has been positive - let us know what you thought (good and bad please: turkeyday@freedom-ride.org). Then mark your calendars for the 10th annual on Thanksgiving morning 2026!
💥🐾 Meet TITAN — Big Name, Big Heart, Big Love! 🐾💥

If you're looking for a dog who brings equal parts charm, sweetness, and undeniable presence, Titan is your guy. He’s got that gentle, soulful look that melts your heart… and a personality that seals the deal.

Come meet him and see why everyone who meets Titan falls in love.
Your new best friend might be this big-hearted boy. 🐾💕
www.freedom-ride.org
This happy little heart-stealer is ready to charm her way into someone’s life and their lap. Ellis is one of those pups who makes every day brighter — sweet, loyal, and full of that gentle, lovable energy that melts you instantly.

Whether she’s exploring the yard, enjoying a good snuggle, or giving you those irresistible “love me” eyes, Ellis is all about spending time with her people. She is happiest with a chill night in on the couch with her favorite folks.

She’s hoping to find her perfect forever family — someone who will adore her, spoil her, and give her all the cozy moments she deserves.

👉 Check out her bio on our website and apply to meet Ellis! She’s ready for her forever home. 🐶💚
www.freedom-ride.org
🐾 Unleash Giving for the Fighters Who Defy Every Odd 🐾
Some dogs come to us so fragile, so medically complex, that simply surviving feels like a miracle. Vortex was one of those pups. She arrived at just a few days old, facing more challenges than most dogs see in a lifetime:
🔸 a ruptured eye
🔸 a significant heart murmur
🔸 a cleft palate
🔸 neurological and developmental deficits
She was tiny, vulnerable, and fighting an uphill battle from her very first breath. We truly didn’t know if she would survive—much less thrive.

But then she landed in the hands of our neonatal specialist, Julie Pellicore, who poured every ounce of her expertise, patience, and heart into this fragile little life. Against every odd, she grew stronger. Her personality emerged—quirky, sweet, and full of determination. 

And then the happiest chapter began:
Vortex was adopted by an incredible family in Virginia who loves her exactly as she is and celebrates all the things that make her wonderfully unique. Today, she is living her very best life, cherished for the miracle she is.

This Giving Tuesday, help us Unleash Giving so we can continue stepping up for the most vulnerable puppies—those who need specialized care, medical intervention, and someone willing to fight alongside them.

Ways you can support Freedom Ride Rescue:
• Donate through our Giving Day Fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/donate/875543544930888/ 

• Text to GIVE!: Text “FRR” to 89871 

• Donate through our website: www.freeodm-ride.org/donate

• Venmo Donation: Easily donate with VENMO to help with the medical needs of our dogs. (The phone number ends with 6338)

• Send gift items from our Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/25OJZNI88Y18K?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwAR0xNDAoVVBE3-tEbHE6T4hTglS8U9LU-RwYpFrqXH2aY9ewRo98bMu2VxI 

• Send gift items through our Chewy Wish List: https://www.chewy.com/g/freedom-ride-rescue_b86159857 

#UnleashGiving #GivingTuesday #FreedomRideRescue #NeonatalPuppies #MakeADifference
🐾 Unleash Giving for the Transformations You Can’t Always See 🐾
Not every rescue story is about physical healing. Sometimes the most profound transformations happen deep within a dog’s heart. When Bianca came to Freedom Ride Rescue, she was one of the most shut down dogs we had ever met. She avoided touch, spent her days hiding, and carried the weight of a life where love had never been offered to her. Her fear was heartbreaking—and overwhelming. But then something incredible happened.

Bianca found comfort not in humans at first, but in the other dogs in her foster home. They became her guides, her teachers, her safety net. Through them, she learned the small but monumental things: that food comes regularly, that soft beds are safe, that people can be gentle, and that she didn’t have to be afraid anymore. While Bianca will never be the kind of dog who enjoys crowded breweries or busy events, her transformation was nothing short of inspiring. She learned to trust. 

And then, the happiest ending of all: One of our FRR fosters decided to adopt her. Today, she is loved, secure, and growing in confidence every day.  Her story is a powerful reminder that emotional healing takes time, patience, and a kind of care that shelters simply cannot provide. 

This Giving Tuesday, help us Unleash Giving so we can continue helping dogs like Bianca—those who need safety, compassion, and a chance to discover who they are when they finally feel loved.

Ways you can support Freedom Ride Rescue:

• Donate through our Giving Day Fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/donate/875543544930888/ 

• Text to GIVE!: Text “FRR” to 89871 

• Donate through our website: www.freeodm-ride.org/donate

• Venmo Donation: Easily donate with VENMO to help with the medical needs of our dogs. (The phone number ends with 6338)

• Send gift items from our Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/25OJZNI88Y18K?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwAR0xNDAoVVBE3-tEbHE6T4hTglS8U9LU-RwYpFrqXH2aY9ewRo98bMu2VxI 

• Send gift items through our Chewy Wish List: https://www.chewy.com/g/freedom-ride-rescue_b86159857 

#UnleashGiving #GivingTuesday #FreedomRideRescue
🐾 Unleash Giving for Second Chances at Every Age 🐾

When Sylvie came to Freedom Ride Rescue, she broke our hearts. This sweet senior girl arrived missing large patches of fur, battling painful skin infections, and carrying the emotional scars of a hard life. She looked—and felt—utterly defeated. But Sylvie’s story was just beginning.

In her foster home, she was met with patience, warmth, and the gentle reassurance she had always deserved. Slowly, her skin healed. Her coat began to grow back. And just as importantly, Sylvie started to heal emotionally, learning that she was safe… valued… and finally, treasured.

And then came the best chapter of all:
Sylvie was adopted by a wonderful family who absolutely adores her.
Her golden years will now be filled with love, rest, and joy—exactly what every senior dog deserves.

Stories like Sylvie’s remind us why we do this work. Your support makes these transformations possible. This Giving Tuesday, help us Unleash Giving so we can continue rescuing seniors who need healing, compassion, and a chance at a beautiful final chapter.

Ways you can support Freedom Ride Rescue:

• Donate through our Giving Day Fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/donate/875543544930888/ 

• Text to GIVE!: Text “FRR” to 89871 to make a one-time donation OR sign up for a monthly give!

• Donate through our website: www.freeodm-ride.org/donate

• Venmo Donation: Easily donate with VENMO to help with the medical needs of our dogs. (The phone number ends with 6338)

• Send gift items from our Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/25OJZNI88Y18K?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwAR0xNDAoVVBE3-tEbHE6T4hTglS8U9LU-RwYpFrqXH2aY9ewRo98bMu2VxI 

• Send gift items through our Chewy Wish List: https://www.chewy.com/g/freedom-ride-rescue_b86159857 

If you aren’t in a position to support us financially, there are always other ways to help! We are always in need of fosters and volunteers. Visit our website for more information: www.freedom-ride.org/volunteer 

#UnleashGiving #GivingTuesday #FreedomRideRescue #SeniorDogs #TransformationStory #AdoptASenior #RescueLove #MakeADifference
🐾 Unleash Giving for the Most Remarkable Transformations 🐾
Some rescue stories begin with heartbreak—but end in pure joy. When we first saw photos of two tiny, pitiful puppies in a shelter, we knew instantly that we had to help. These little girls had endured far more than any puppy ever should.

When Grinny and Marlowe came into our care, they were severely malnourished, painfully underweight, and suffering from skin infections that left them missing patches of fur. Even worse, the emotional toll of their early trauma left them timid, shut down, and unsure of the world around them.

But then love happened.
Safety happened.
Healing happened.

With dedicated foster families, proper nutrition, medical treatments, and gentle, consistent care, these puppies began to bloom. Day by day, their fear eased. Their coats filled in. Their spark returned. And soon, their personalities—sweet, silly, joyful—shined through.

Today, you would never recognize them as the same puppies who first arrived. Both Grinny and Marlowe are now living their very best lives in their forever homes, surrounded by love, stability, and comfort.

This Giving Tuesday, help us Unleash Giving so we can continue saying “yes” to the most vulnerable dogs—those who need medical care, emotional healing, and a safe place to land before they can begin their new lives.

Ways you can support Freedom Ride Rescue:

• Donate through our Giving Day Fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/donate/875543544930888/ 

• Text to GIVE!: Text “FRR” to 89871 to make a one-time donation OR sign up for a monthly give!

• Donate through our website: www.freeodm-ride.org/donate

• Venmo Donation: Easily donate with VENMO to help with the medical needs of our dogs. (The phone number ends with 6338)

• Send gift items from our Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/25OJZNI88Y18K?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwAR0xNDAoVVBE3-tEbHE6T4hTglS8U9LU-RwYpFrqXH2aY9ewRo98bMu2VxI 

• Send gift items through our Chewy Wish List: https://www.chewy.com/g/freedom-ride-rescue_b86159857 

#UnleashGiving #GivingTuesday #FreedomRideRescue #TransformationStory #RescueDogs #HealingHappens #AdoptDontShop #MakeADifference

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