vendor | springfling

Barkleigh's Cafe and Rescue - Homemade products for dogs and cats

Shannon
Apr 22
2 min read

Barkleigh's Bakery & Rescue t Blog Announcement 2026

Barkleigh's Cafe and Rescue is here for their first-ever Spring Fling! Owners, Stephanie and Nikki, sew bandanas and bow ties for cats, dogs, and other pets. They have seasonal bandanas as well as phrase bandanas with different phrases. Additionally, they create designs and print t-shirts/tote bags for animals lovers alike. Barkleigh's makes these products to share in the joy our pets bring us each day.

Barkleighs Product Barkleigh's Cafe and Rescue

Barkleigh’s Café and Rescue owners Stephanie Buchko and Nikki Myers originally met each other in 2015 while working at Boss Key Productions, a video game startup located in downtown Raleigh. The idea for Barkleigh’s was originally conceived from “what if” exercises that they would do for fun while going on lunch walks or sitting together on the swivel bar stools in the break area during work.

However, unlike the other random ideas they would hash out, Barkleigh’s took hold and became something that the two decided would be a great fit for the Wake County Area. And with that, Steph and Nikki began working towards converting this “what if” into a reality.

Barkleigh’s is currently working towards its ultimate goal of opening a dog café in order to work with local area rescues to facilitate visitations with a constant rotation of adoptable friends in a laid-back and casual environment. Currently Barkleigh’s is raising money by creating fun accessories for your furry companions that are available for purchase. Each purchase of pet accessories, t-shirts, or even a simple donation will help keep Barkleigh’s moving forward one paw at a time.

Barkleighs Product 2 Barkleigh's Cafe and Rescue

See Barkleigh's Cafe and Rescue's full product line and learn more on their website!

Plus, follow them on their social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram to keep up with new releases. And be sure to find them at Spring Fling to browse their homemade products and single-ingredient sweet potato chews!

Barkleighs Products 3 - Barkleigh's Cafe and Rescue

Visit Barkleigh's Cafe and Rescue 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:

2026 FB event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1TntG29de2/

Blog: https://www.k9springfling.com/news

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k9springfling

"Freedom Rides" Abound at Freedom Ride Rescue & Pawsitive Creations Vendor

laura44253
Apr 19
3 min read

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 …

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!