#76 in United States, #2 in New York
https://operationfreedomride.com
Service areas:
We adopt to anywhere in NYS but our fosters are located in the Rochester, NY area
"Operation Freedom Ride is an amazing organization whose purpose is to rescue as many dogs and cats from euthanasia as possible. They can only do this through the support of donors, fosters and volunteers since the rescue is 100% volunteer and 100% foster home based. It’s hard to put into words what this rescue means to me and my family and the community! Everyone who volunteers their time and supports this rescue is doing meaningful work and saving lives!"
— kristin t.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"This group of volunteers at Operation Freedom Ride works tirelessly to rescue dogs from kill shelters in the southern states. They drive endless hours to pick them up and bring them to loving fosters and forever homes. I applaud them daily for their dedication to these animals that deserve a second chance at a better life."
— robin l.
Adoptee
"OFR is an incredible rescue! I am a foster and a 2x adopter. In each situation, OFR is supportive, caring, and knowledgeable. Someone is always available night or day. They care about all their dogs and cats and work so hard to ensure every one finds their forever home. I am honored and grateful that I am part of such an amazing group of animal-rescuers. ❤️"
— melissa m.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"Operation Freedom Ride volunteers go above and beyond to save animals’ lives and give the second chances at being fully loved. The coordination and fundraising to keep operations going are extremely impressive and can only happen when you have authentic people leading and ongoing collaboration."
— kristen f.
Supporter
"Operation Freedom Ride is very organized, caring with the biggest heart to rescue these animals from cold shelters to loving homes. I am a foster. they travel to Tennessee to save as many as they can with fosters waiting. animals are vet checked and immunized."
— jan s.
Volunteer / foster
"Operation Free Ride is an excellent rescue! They were extremely communicative both before and after our dog adoption and were so helpful to us in finding the right match. We appreciate that each dog is fostered for two weeks following transport to allow for decompression - it really helped to get a sense of each dog's personality and demeanor prior to selecting a pet for adoption. They were kind, helpful, and caring the whole way through! We couldn't be more grateful to OFR for bringing Pete, our new pup, into our life!"
— emily o.
Adoptee
"They’re the best! Very caring and knowledgeable group of volunteers who run this organization."
— gail g.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"I first became involved with Operation Freedom Ride in 2022 when I applied to adopt one of their recues. At that time I also applied to become a foster and to volunteer on their adoption team. I adopted from them in September, it was a wonderful experience. I continue to volunteer on their adoption team interviewing potential adopters. Over the years I have volunteered for two other dog rescues. I enjoyed working for those rescues and it gave me a good background in rescue work. It also allowed me to have something to compare OFR's rescue work with. OFR is outstanding in their organizing skills, everyone on the different teams is well-versed in their position, this makes for the best possible experience for both the rescue animal and the adopter. When I am interviewing potential adopters they often comment on how easily the process flows and how knowledgeable everyone is. It takes a team of dedicated, animal loving people to make a rescue work well, OFR certainly has all the elements of that."
— angela m.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter
"We got our first dog about 3 years ago through operation freedom ride and it was a great experience. The organization does amazing work but also makes it a great experience for those looking to adopt. They are thorough with their research to ensure their rescue animals go to loving homes but are kind and walked us through the process knowing it was our first time. Our dog was a last minute addition to the transport and would have been put down if the team at OFR didn’t make room for him. We can’t imagine life without Tucker now and that’s thanks to operation freedom ride!"
— fareeha k.
Adoptee
"WE adopted a 11yr old chihuahua a bout 12 months ago. He had a few issues which we were aware of. He had to have some surgery OFR paid for it. He is now a happy healthy furbaby. And the love of our life. OFR is a great rescue and would recommend them"
— kathy c.
Adoptee
Discover the Bernese Mountain Dog, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and playful nature. Recognized as a large dog, Bernese Mountain Dogs have their origins in Switzerland, where they were initially bred for guarding livestock and droving work starting in the 1st century.
Discover the Pomeranian, a breed celebrated for its friendly, intelligent, and loyal nature. Recognized as a small toy dog, Pomeranians have their origins in Germany, where they were initially bred for herding starting in the 18th century.
Discover the Boston Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and intelligent nature. Recognized as a small dog, Boston Terriers are originally from the United States, where they were bred for fighting starting in the late 19th century. Today, Boston Terriers are popular companion dogs, beloved by their owners for their compact appearance and playful personalities.
Discover the Shih Tzu, a breed celebrated for its friendly, playful, and loyal nature. Recognized as a small dog, Shih Tzus have their origins in China, where they were initially bred for bred as companions for royalty starting in ancient times dating all the way back to 1,000 years ago.
Discover the Miniature Poodle, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, intelligent, and friendly nature. Recognized as a small dog, Miniature Poodles have their origins in Germany, where they were initially bred for retrieving game from water starting in the 15th century.
Discover the Bull Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and alert nature. Recognized as a medium dog, Bull Terriers have their origins in England, where they were initially bred for fighting and bull-baiting starting in the early 19th century.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.