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Freedom Ride Rescue

Freedom Ride Rescue has joined us for Spring Fling several times before and we are excited to have them back again this year! A couple of their favorite things about Spring Fling are meeting the other rescue organizations, fundraising, and the Egg Hunt of course (it's not too late to sign up: https://givebutter.com/c/UnleashedsSpringFling2026!)


This dog rescue group was established in 2019 when a dog named Rider was pulled from Granville County Animal Shelter and given 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."

Freedom Ride Rescue accepts all types of dogs, from pregnant moms and puppies, all the way to hospice cases and everything in between. Co-founders Mollie and Larry initially envisioned a small rescue that saved 50 dogs a year. Thanks to the amazing support and passion of their community, Freedom Ride Rescue has saved over 2,000 dogs (plus a few cats)!


"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 brings 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."


Like most rescue groups, Freedom Ride relies on foster homes to be able to save more dogs. They provide everything you could need to foster a dog, including a crate, food, and bowls, you just provide your love and time! All dogs in their care receive necessary vetting like a spay or neuter, vaccines and parasite prevention.


Adoption Highlight: Razz!

Get ready for a whole lot of laughs and fun – meet Razz, the little goofball with a HUGE personality and the best TEEFERS! This charming pup is an independent explorer who's perfectly happy entertaining himself with his toys, but his tail really starts wagging when he makes new friends! He's just shy of 2-years-old and a perfectly sized 40 pounds.


If you're looking for an adventure buddy, Razz is your guy! Playdates with other dogs? Zoomies around the yard? Exploring every nook and cranny of the great outdoors? That's his idea of a perfect day! Whether it's a long, exciting walk or a lively game of fetch in the backyard, Razz is always up for the next adventure.


Prepare to be endlessly entertained by his playful and funny nature! Razz has a knack for silly antics that will keep you smiling and laughing every day. He's also a superstar with kids, making him an ideal addition to an active family searching for a loyal and fun-loving companion to join their adventures.


If you're dreaming of a pup who is equal parts independent explorer and affectionate cuddle bug, Razz is ready to step into that role as your new best friend! Don't miss the chance to meet this little bundle of joy and see if he's the missing piece your family has been waiting for! freedom-ride.org


You can learn more about Freedom Ride Rescue on their website and make sure to stop by their booth at Spring Fling! Follow them on their social media channels- Facebook and Instagram- to keep up with all their activities and get updates on their adoptable dogs.


Pawsitive Creations

Shop AND help dogs? That’s the “pawsitive” way …



Pawsitive Creations for Freedom Ride Rescue

Where you find Freedom Ride Rescue, you will most likely also find Mo Montgomery and her "Pawsitive Creations!" This includes at Spring Fling! You may have also seen her creations at the Painted Tree store in Cary- it was the vendor booth with the giant doghouse.


Mo started as a foster, then adopted her amazing “Bo,” and then she was driven to find a way to help more. She started making signs to help raise money for Freedom Ride Rescue! Enjoying a new passion, this incredible powerhouse expanded her crafting to shirts, glassware, kitchen items and lots of other doggy themed treasures! 100 percent of proceeds return to the rescue!


Interested in more? Check out Pawsitive Creations' Website, Facebook, or Instagram to keep up with all of her cute creations!!



Visit Freedom Ride Rescue and Pawsitive Creations- you can find them next to each other- at

Unleashed's 13th Annual Spring Fling Dog & Cat Fundraiser

Sunday, April 26, 2026

12-6 pm

Koka Booth Amphitheatre


Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2026:

 
 
 
Canine Community Outreach of North Carolina Logo Banner

Canine Community Outreach of North Carolina has joined us for Spring Fling multiple times in the past, and we are so excited to have them again this year! This team works hard to close the gap between affordable spay/neuter and their community through education.


Co-founders Colleen and Kate share a lifelong passion for pets, especially rescue dogs. They met in 2019, and the rest is history! While they love rescuing, their real goal is to reduce pet overpopulation and lessen the number of pets in need of rescue in the first place.


Canine Community Outreach of NC is dedicated to improving the lives of both dogs and their humans by promoting and enabling spay/neuter services. Through education and accessible resources, they empower pet owners to make responsible choices, ultimately reducing the number of homeless dogs in North Carolina.


In addition to raising awareness of the need to spay and neuter and providing funds for special cases and assistance with spay/neuter costs, their Sasha-Bean Memorial Fund helps one organization each year in their work to stop pet overpopulation.



Why spay or neuter your pet?

Sasha-Bean and Cofounder Colleen
Sasha-Bean and Cofounder Colleen

  • It reduces euthanasia! Fewer unwanted litters mean less overcrowding at animal shelters and less unnecessary euthanasia.


  • It can help behavior issues! Some negative behaviors related to the mating instinct, like roaming or aggression, can be reduced after spay or neuter


  • It's cost-effective! It can be less expensive to have your dog spayed or neutered vs. birthing and raising a litter of puppies.



Hall of Dogs

(pups helped by Canine Community Outreach)




You can learn more about their work on their website and follow them on their Facebook and Instagram pages to keep up with all their events!


Visit the Canine Community Outreach of NC booth at Spring Fling to check out their collection of bumper stickers, water bottle stickers, and handmade friendship bracelets. PLUS, don’t miss their friendship bracelet station, where you can create your very own!!



Visit Canine Community Outreach of North Carolina at

Unleashed's 13th Annual Spring Fling Dog & Cat Fundraiser

Sunday, April 26, 2026

12-6 pm

Koka Booth Amphitheatre


Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2026:


 
 
 

Binky and Bell Logo Banner

We are so happy to welcome Binky and Bell back as a vendor at this year's Spring Fling! This local cartoon art business has been a longtime supporter of Unleashed. Their name came from Rick's first dog, "Binky," and Mark's last name, "Bell!"


Binky and Bell was founded in 2013 when Rick Gardner and Mark Bell met through a career transition networking group. The duo discovered how their passion for their hobbies, Rick for dogs and Mark for woodworking, could be used for good. Together, they collaborate to create original cartoon dog-and cat-themed art to support local animal shelters and rescues.


Binky and Bell's Founder Rick Gardner

Rick Gardner combines his artistic skill and fundraising knowledge to help homeless pets through Binky and Bell. He has completed three coloring books and one joke book and donated the profits to numerous local rescues and shelters. Rick's work has been featured in multiple exhibits, including:


  • The Visual Art Exchange WERD Art exhibit

  • A Place at the Table in downtown Raleigh

  • The Halle Arts Center in Apex

  • The Spotted Dog Café in Carrboro, Coffee and Crepes in Cary

  • Holly Springs Cultural Arts Center

  • The North Carolina Craft Center in Carrboro.


Rick's artwork influences include Roy Lichtenstein, James Thurber, Charles Shultz, and numerous modern-day graphic artists.


Mark's influences include his background growing up in the suburbs of Detroit and Boston, as well as his professional experiences in Germany and Switzerland.


" My name is Rick Gardner, my brand is Binky and Bell, a brand dedicated to original, whimsical art inspired by the joyful relationships between pets and people. Through my colorful and playful designs of dogs (and cats too!), I explore themes of love, humor, and happiness."

Stop by their booth and browse through cartoon dog and cat art on shirts, sweatshirts, stickers, bags, books, magnets, and signs!


Take a look at their website for any items to be on the lookout for!


Also, follow them on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with their new designs!!




Visit Binky and Bell at

Unleashed's 12th Annual Spring Fling Dog & Cat Fundraiser

Sunday, April 13, 2025

12-6 pm

Koka Booth Amphitheatre


Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2025:

 
 
 
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