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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🎄🐾 Parade + Puppies = The Perfect Holiday Saturday! 🐾🎄

Freedom Ride Rescue is thrilled to be part of the Clayton Christmas Parade this Saturday! 🎅✨
📍 The parade kicks off at 11:00 AM, so come find us as we walk through downtown Clayton spreading holiday cheer (and maybe a few tail wags).

But the fun doesn’t stop there…
🔥🐶 After the parade, we’ll be warming up with festive fun and adoptable dogs at First Street Tavern from 12:15–2:15 PM! Stop by to meet some amazing pups, grab a drink, and keep the holiday spirit going.

Come cheer, come cuddle, and maybe even meet your future best friend. ❤️
We can’t wait to see you!
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Welcome to FRR's Home for the Holidays Campaign!

We'll be showing off every single available dog over the next few weeks, in hopes of getting as many as possible adopted and in their own forever homes for the holidays.

Today we’d like you to meet Razz!

You can find more information about all of our dogs (including Razz) on our website: www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption. Once you’ve fallen in love with your perfect pooch, fill out an application!

Freedom Ride Rescue believes that pets should not be presents: they are lifelong commitments. Everyone in the family needs to be involved in finding the RIGHT pet to fit the family and everyone needs to be ready for all that comes with a new furry addition. Because of this, Freedom Ride will put a “paws” on adoptions the week of Christmas. We will not be processing applications or finalizing adoptions from December 21-27. (We’ll process any adoptions that get started before then, but will not process new applications during that time).

But we still have time for lots of precious pups to find their people before that! We would love for our dogs to be Home for the Holidays!
... See MoreSee Less

Welcome to FRR's Home for the Holidays Campaign!

We'll be showing off every single available dog over the next few weeks, in hopes of getting as many as possible adopted and in their own forever homes for the holidays.

Today we’d like you to meet Maguy!

You can find more information about all of our dogs (including Maguy) on our website: www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption. Once you’ve fallen in love with your perfect pooch, fill out an application!

Freedom Ride Rescue believes that pets should not be presents: they are lifelong commitments. Everyone in the family needs to be involved in finding the RIGHT pet to fit the family and everyone needs to be ready for all that comes with a new furry addition. Because of this, Freedom Ride will put a “paws” on adoptions the week of Christmas. We will not be processing applications or finalizing adoptions from December 21-27. (We’ll process any adoptions that get started before then, but will not process new applications during that time).

But we still have time for lots of precious pups to find their people before that! We would love for our dogs to be Home for the Holidays!
... See MoreSee Less

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Browse our dogs in foster care and available for adoption!

🎄🐾 Parade + Puppies = The Perfect Holiday Saturday! 🐾🎄

Freedom Ride Rescue is thrilled to be part of the Clayton Christmas Parade this Saturday! 🎅✨
📍 The parade kicks off at 11:00 AM, so come find us as we walk through downtown Clayton spreading holiday cheer (and maybe a few tail wags).

But the fun doesn’t stop there…
🔥🐶 After the parade, we’ll be warming up with festive fun and adoptable dogs at First Street Tavern from 12:15–2:15 PM! Stop by to meet some amazing pups, grab a drink, and keep the holiday spirit going.

Come cheer, come cuddle, and maybe even meet your future best friend. ❤️
We can’t wait to see you!
Welcome to FRR's Home for the Holidays Campaign! 

We'll be showing off every single available dog over the next few weeks, in hopes of getting as many as possible adopted and in their own forever homes for the holidays.

Today we’d like you to meet Razz!

You can find more information about all of our dogs (including Razz) on our website: www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption. Once you’ve fallen in love with your perfect pooch, fill out an application!

Freedom Ride Rescue believes that pets should not be presents: they are lifelong commitments. Everyone in the family needs to be involved in finding the RIGHT pet to fit the family and everyone needs to be ready for all that comes with a new furry addition. Because of this, Freedom Ride will put a “paws” on adoptions the week of Christmas. We will not be processing applications or finalizing adoptions from December 21-27. (We’ll process any adoptions that get started before then, but will not process new applications during that time).

But we still have time for lots of precious pups to find their people before that! We would love for our dogs to be Home for the Holidays!
Welcome to FRR's Home for the Holidays Campaign! 

We'll be showing off every single available dog over the next few weeks, in hopes of getting as many as possible adopted and in their own forever homes for the holidays.

Today we’d like you to meet Maguy!

You can find more information about all of our dogs (including Maguy) on our website: www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption. Once you’ve fallen in love with your perfect pooch, fill out an application!

Freedom Ride Rescue believes that pets should not be presents: they are lifelong commitments. Everyone in the family needs to be involved in finding the RIGHT pet to fit the family and everyone needs to be ready for all that comes with a new furry addition. Because of this, Freedom Ride will put a “paws” on adoptions the week of Christmas. We will not be processing applications or finalizing adoptions from December 21-27. (We’ll process any adoptions that get started before then, but will not process new applications during that time).

But we still have time for lots of precious pups to find their people before that! We would love for our dogs to be Home for the Holidays!
🐶✨FRR Alum Luke (FKA Duke of Clefts VI) is a very big part of his family, and he absolutely knows it! This handsome boy spreads joy wherever he goes, loving life, loving people, and soaking up every ounce of affection that comes his way. His family feels endlessly grateful for everyone who pours their hearts and souls into rescue work, because Luke is living proof of the magic it creates. 💛🙏

🍼❤️ Born with a bilateral cleft lip, tiny Luke required round-the-clock care, bottle feedings, and the tender dedication of a foster mom who refused to give up on him. All that love (and all those sleepless nights!) helped shape him into the incredible dog he is today. 

🎓🐕‍🦺🌟 Luke isn’t just sweet — he’s smart. He proudly graduated from Pawsitive Attitudes puppy training and, just five months later, earned his Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title! And he accomplished it all while undergoing three surgeries. This boy is as resilient as he is lovable. 

🏡💙🐾 Now three years old, Luke continues to be a blessing to his family every single day. With his gentle spirit, goofy charm, and big heart, he brings warmth, laughter, and gratitude into their home. He’s a constant reminder of the power of rescue!

👀 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!
Welcome to FRR's Home for the Holidays Campaign! 

We'll be showing off every single available dog over the next few weeks, in hopes of getting as many as possible adopted and in their own forever homes for the holidays.

Today we’d like you to meet Hopper!

You can find more information about all of our dogs (including Hopper) on our website: www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption. Once you’ve fallen in love with your perfect pooch, fill out an application!

Freedom Ride Rescue believes that pets should not be presents: they are lifelong commitments. Everyone in the family needs to be involved in finding the RIGHT pet to fit the family and everyone needs to be ready for all that comes with a new furry addition. Because of this, Freedom Ride will put a “paws” on adoptions the week of Christmas. We will not be processing applications or finalizing adoptions from December 21-27. (We’ll process any adoptions that get started before then, but will not process new applications during that time).

But we still have time for lots of precious pups to find their people before that! We would love for our dogs to be Home for the Holidays!
Welcome to FRR's Home for the Holidays Campaign! 

We'll be showing off every single available dog over the next few weeks, in hopes of getting as many as possible adopted and in their own forever homes for the holidays.

Today we’d like you to meet Rowan!

You can find more information about all of our dogs (including Rowan) on our website: www.freedom-ride.org/for-adoption. Once you’ve fallen in love with your perfect pooch, fill out an application!

Freedom Ride Rescue believes that pets should not be presents: they are lifelong commitments. Everyone in the family needs to be involved in finding the RIGHT pet to fit the family and everyone needs to be ready for all that comes with a new furry addition. Because of this, Freedom Ride will put a “paws” on adoptions the week of Christmas. We will not be processing applications or finalizing adoptions from December 21-27. (We’ll process any adoptions that get started before then, but will not process new applications during that time).

But we still have time for lots of precious pups to find their people before that! We would love for our dogs to be Home for the Holidays!
🎄🐾 Join Us for a Festive Adoption Pawty! 🐾🎄

This Saturday, December 13th at 11 AM, come celebrate the holiday season with Freedom Ride Rescue at the Clayton Christmas Parade!
We’ll be walking the parade route along Main Street in Downtown Clayton with some of our adorable, adoptable pups—ready to strut, smile, and maybe find their forever families. ❤️🐶

📍 Parade Details:
⭐ Route: Main Street from Robertson St. to Smith St.
⭐ Assembly: Atkinson St. & Main St.
⭐ Disassembly: Main St. from Smith St. to Compton St.
🎅 Bring the whole family and enjoy the holiday magic from the curbside!

🎉 POST-PARADE PAWTY!
After the parade, head over to First Street Tavern for a festive adoption celebration! Warm drinks, wagging tails, and maybe the perfect new family member waiting to meet you.

🐕💫 Let’s spread joy, support rescue dogs, and kick off the season together!

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