N.C. Non-Profit Animal Rescue
Give a Freedom RideIn the rescue world, a āFreedom 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 ā¦. 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 fostersā homes; who stay up late searching shelter pages for that next āFreedom 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 ā¦. 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 ā often never looking backĀ āĀ as they start their most lifeās 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.
We often joke that math is hard in rescue: have you ever noticed that our 6-year-old network had a 9th annual Turkey Day 5K last week? This incredible day was started by the TeddyRox Foundation's founders Nancy Libbey-Cawthon and Kathleen O'Brien Serow ... who entrusted the event to Freedom Ride Rescue during Covid.
Our team "ran" with their incredible vision, building on an incredible detailed and successful playbook they gifted us. We continue to be humbled by their generosity at trusting their legacy to us ... and LOVE that the Original Turkey Day shirts keep coming around showing the TeddyRox team are still part of the festivities!
#grateful #turkeyday5K #teddyroxfoundation #freedomriderescue #pawitforward
šŗš FRR Alum Kodiak is the newest (and perfectly missing!) piece of his familyās puzzle. From the moment he arrived, he made himself right at homeā¦ specifically by claiming the coveted recliner as his throne ššļø. It truly felt like he had been part of the family for years on his very first night.
šš At the vet, Kodiak is a total champ. Heās completely unfazed by vaccines and always charming the staffā¦ even if he may or may not happy-pee on them from time to time. šš
āØšāš¦ŗāļøWhen his DNA results came back, the family was shocked to discover heās mostly Siberian Husky and German Shepherd, with a little Chow sprinkled in for extra fluff.
šš¶ Kodiak recently turned ONE and celebrated in style with his very own pupcake!
ššØ He LOVES car rides, treats š, and doggy daycare. šāš§” Water, though? Thatās still an ongoing discussion. Baths especiallyā¦ the jury is out šš¬.
š¤Ŗš§š¶Heās goofy, heās dramatic, and heās definitely in his teenage phase.
š¤š¾ Kodiakās family is forever grateful to Freedom Ride Rescue for bringing this big, silly sweetheart into their lives.
š We absolutely love hearing about how our alumni are doing! Want to see your alum featured? Share their photos and stories on our alumni pageāyou could be our next spotlight!
šš Someone Explainā¦ HOW Is Rosalina Still Available?! šš
Seriously ā weāre 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 youāve been hoping for a sign ā THIS IS IT.
Rosalina is ready to be someoneās whole world, and we canāt believe she hasnāt been scooped up already.
š Come meet this incredible girl and see for yourself why weāre all obsessed.
Your new best friend might just be Rosalina. š¾āØ
www.freedom-ride.org
See us on Instagram
Browse our dogs in foster care and available for adoption!
We often joke that math is hard in rescue: have you ever noticed that our 6-year-old network had a 9th annual Turkey Day 5K last week? This incredible day was started by the TeddyRox Foundation`s founders Nancy Libbey-Cawthon and Kathleen O`Brien Serow ... who entrusted the event to Freedom Ride Rescue during Covid.
Our team "ran" with their incredible vision, building on an incredible detailed and successful playbook they gifted us. We continue to be humbled by their generosity at trusting their legacy to us ... and LOVE that the Original Turkey Day shirts keep coming around showing the TeddyRox team are still part of the festivities!
#grateful #turkeyday5K #teddyroxfoundation #freedomriderescue #pawitforward
šŗš FRR Alum Kodiak is the newest (and perfectly missing!) piece of his familyās puzzle. From the moment he arrived, he made himself right at homeā¦ specifically by claiming the coveted recliner as his throne ššļø. It truly felt like he had been part of the family for years on his very first night.
šš At the vet, Kodiak is a total champ. Heās completely unfazed by vaccines and always charming the staffā¦ even if he may or may not happy-pee on them from time to time. šš
āØšāš¦ŗāļøWhen his DNA results came back, the family was shocked to discover heās mostly Siberian Husky and German Shepherd, with a little Chow sprinkled in for extra fluff.
šš¶ Kodiak recently turned ONE and celebrated in style with his very own pupcake!
ššØ He LOVES car rides, treats š, and doggy daycare. šāš§” Water, though? Thatās still an ongoing discussion. Baths especiallyā¦ the jury is out šš¬.
š¤Ŗš§š¶Heās goofy, heās dramatic, and heās definitely in his teenage phase.
š¤š¾ Kodiakās family is forever grateful to Freedom Ride Rescue for bringing this big, silly sweetheart into their lives.
š We absolutely love hearing about how our alumni are doing! Want to see your alum featured? Share their photos and stories on our alumni pageāyou could be our next spotlight!
šš Someone Explainā¦ HOW Is Rosalina Still Available?! šš
Seriously ā weāre 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 youāve been hoping for a sign ā THIS IS IT.
Rosalina is ready to be someoneās whole world, and we canāt believe she hasnāt been scooped up already.
š Come meet this incredible girl and see for yourself why weāre all obsessed.
Your new best friend might just be Rosalina. š¾āØ
www.freedom-ride.org
šØļøāØ EVENT 1: Snow Much Love at Makrs Downtown Raleigh
š Downtown Raleigh
š 11:00 AM ā 6:00 PM
Ready to fall in love this winter?
Join us at the Makrs event and meet dozens of incredible dogsāplayful pups, cuddly companions, and gentle seniorsāall dreaming of a forever home and a warm lap to snuggle on. šš¶
Come shop local, say hi, and maybe meet your new best friend!
šš¶ EVENT 2: Pho-Ho-Ho-tos with Santa
š Rosecomb Beer Garden, Parkside Town Commons
1143 Parkside Main St., Cary, NC 27519
š 2:30ā5:30 PM
Weāre thrilled to be hosted by Canine Community Outreach of NC for one of our favorite annual traditionsāholiday dog photos with (and without!) Santa! š
šø
Your minimum donation of $25 supports CCOās spay/neuter campaign for dogs in need.
š¾ First 20 paid registrants receive a festive treat bag!
š¾ All participants get digital photos by Ashley of Assorted Poppies Photo!
š Multiple dogs?
$25 for the first pup + $10 for each additional.
š Schedule:
ā¢ 2:30ā3:30 PM: Photos without Santa
ā¢ 3:30ā5:30 PM: Photos with Santa
āØ 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! āļøšš¾
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!
š„š¾ Meet TITAN ā Big Name, Big Heart, Big Love! š¾š„
If you`re looking for a dog who brings equal parts charm, sweetness, and undeniable presence, Titan is your guy. Heās got that gentle, soulful look that melts your heartā¦ 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. š¾š
www.freedom-ride.org
šØšØFOSTER NEEDED!!šØšØSaint is a stunning 6 month old 23 lb spaniel mix in need of a foster. He is neutered UTD on vaccines and dog friendly. Swipe for dog test videos. Look at that attentive sit š„°š„°. Please email jennifer@freedom-ride.org if interested in helping this darling boy.
This happy little heart-stealer is ready to charm her way into someoneās life and their lap. Ellis is one of those pups who makes every day brighter ā sweet, loyal, and full of that gentle, lovable energy that melts you instantly.
Whether sheās exploring the yard, enjoying a good snuggle, or giving you those irresistible ālove meā 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.
Sheās hoping to find her perfect forever family ā someone who will adore her, spoil her, and give her all the cozy moments she deserves.
š Check out her bio on our website and apply to meet Ellis! Sheās ready for her forever home. š¶š
www.freedom-ride.org
š¾ Unleash Giving for the Fighters Who Defy Every Odd š¾
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:
šø a ruptured eye
šø a significant heart murmur
šø a cleft palate
šø neurological and developmental deficits
She was tiny, vulnerable, and fighting an uphill battle from her very first breath. We truly didnāt know if she would surviveāmuch 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 emergedāquirky, 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 puppiesāthose who need specialized care, medical intervention, and someone willing to fight alongside them.
Ways you can support Freedom Ride Rescue:
ā¢ Donate through our Giving Day Fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/donate/875543544930888/
ā¢ Text to GIVE!: Text āFRRā to 89871
ā¢ Donate through our website: www.freeodm-ride.org/donate
ā¢ Venmo Donation: Easily donate with VENMO to help with the medical needs of our dogs. (The phone number ends with 6338)
ā¢ Send gift items from our Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/25OJZNI88Y18K?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwAR0xNDAoVVBE3-tEbHE6T4hTglS8U9LU-RwYpFrqXH2aY9ewRo98bMu2VxI
ā¢ Send gift items through our Chewy Wish List: https://www.chewy.com/g/freedom-ride-rescue_b86159857
#UnleashGiving #GivingTuesday #FreedomRideRescue #NeonatalPuppies #MakeADifference
š¾ Unleash Giving for the Transformations You Canāt Always See š¾
Not every rescue story is about physical healing. Sometimes the most profound transformations happen deep within a dogās 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 heartbreakingāand 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 didnāt 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 Biancaāthose who need safety, compassion, and a chance to discover who they are when they finally feel loved.
Ways you can support Freedom Ride Rescue:
ā¢ Donate through our Giving Day Fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/donate/875543544930888/
ā¢ Text to GIVE!: Text āFRRā to 89871
ā¢ Donate through our website: www.freeodm-ride.org/donate
ā¢ Venmo Donation: Easily donate with VENMO to help with the medical needs of our dogs. (The phone number ends with 6338)
ā¢ Send gift items from our Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/25OJZNI88Y18K?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwAR0xNDAoVVBE3-tEbHE6T4hTglS8U9LU-RwYpFrqXH2aY9ewRo98bMu2VxI
ā¢ Send gift items through our Chewy Wish List: https://www.chewy.com/g/freedom-ride-rescue_b86159857
#UnleashGiving #GivingTuesday #FreedomRideRescue
Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.ā
~
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 fostersā homes ā¦ who stay up late searching shelter pages for that next āFreedom Rideā potential ā¦. 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); weāll 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 lifeās 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.Ā