Who we are

It Started With a dog Named Meatball

A large dog wearing yellow goggles and a harness sitting inside a black motorcycle sidecar, with a water bottle and a leash, outdoors on a grassy hillside.

The Original Rider

Meatball was an American Bulldog I found waiting in a Colorado shelter. He had a head like a cinderblock and a heart that was literally too big for his chest—a diagnosis of Dilated Cardiomyopathy that meant the clock was already running. He had been returned for being a "failed" guard dog; he was too sweet and far too interested in making friends.

When we realized his time was short, we didn’t slow down; we sped up. I built a motorcycle sidecar, strapped a pair of yellow goggles on him, and we traded the kennel for the open road. From the Rockies to the French Quarter, Meatball didn’t know he was sick—he just knew he was finally free.

The Revolution

Meatball moved on to the ultimate “open road” in 2020, but he left the sidecar behind for a reason. Sidecar Rescue exists because every shelter dog deserves what Meatball got: a chance to be seen, a reason to be celebrated, and a ride through the city like they own it.

How it Works

We partner with local rescues to pull dogs out of crates and into the wind. We film their rides, tell their stories, and show the world who they really are when they aren't behind bars.

  • The Ride: Every dog gets a custom ride and a professional spotlight.

  • The Sponsorship: Community heroes and local businesses cover the adoption fees in advance.

The Result: When a Sidecar Rescue dog finds their human, the fee is already paid. They go home free, ready for their next chapter.

Every dog that climbs into that seat is riding in Meatball’s spot. Help us keep the engine running.

Sidecar Rescue is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Every donation is tax-deductible and goes directly to getting rescue dogs in homes.

sponsor the first ride
A man with a bulldog sitting on a custom motorcycle with a sidecar on a city street. The dog is wearing goggles, and the man appears to be adjusting something on the bike. People are standing nearby, some holding drinks, and storefronts are visible i
A vintage motorcycle with a sidecar parked on a gravel road, with a dog sitting in the sidecar. The motorcycle has white-wall tires and chrome details. The background features a scenic mountainous landscape with trees and a clear blue sky.
Three children and a dog posing with a motorcycle and sidecar. The boy on the left is wearing a Denver Broncos jersey and giving a thumbs up. The girl in the middle is sitting on the sidecar, and the girl on the right is leaning on the motorcycle, sm
A service dog sitting on a black motorcycle with a sidecar parked on a city street. The dog is light brown and white with a muscular build and is wearing a red collar. In the background, a black pickup truck is parked in front of a brick building wit
A white dog, probably a bulldog, wearing multiple colorful Mardi Gras bead necklaces and a brown cape. The dog is standing outside on a pavement, with a person holding its leash behind it, and chairs and decorations in the background.
A man in a black helmet and black t-shirt is sitting on a motorcycle next to a bulldog wearing sunglasses and a harness, sitting in a sidecar on a city street with a green train and tall buildings in the background.
A dog with a white coat and brown patches, wearing reflective ski goggles, standing on a muddy ground near water with upside-down, graffiti-covered cars in the background at sunset.

What happens when you sponsor?

You’re not just funding a ride—you’re joining the crew. When you sponsor a Sidecar Rescue journey, we make sure the city knows who’s behind the goggles. Whether you’re a local business or a dedicated dog lover, here’s how we shout your name from the streets:

For Local Businesses

  • The "Ride-Along" Shoutout: We’ll tag your business in the dog’s official video and photos across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

  • Physical Branding: For "Full Ride" sponsors, we can feature your logo on our digital "Partner Wall" and in the credits of the dog's journey film.

  • And, we’ll film the sidecar pulling up out front - that’s gold for your social media

  • NOLA Community Love: We’ll encourage our followers to stop by your shop/restaurant/bar as a "Sidecar-Approved" local spot.

FOR INDIVIDUALS:

$10 — The Spark

  • The Impact: Fuel and day-of logistics to get a dog out of the crate and into the wind.

  • The Perk: A shoutout in our "Ride Day" social media stories.

$50 — The Sidekick

  • The Impact: The Health Fund. Covers vaccinations, spay/neuter, and vet checks to get riders road-ready.

  • The Perk: A personalized video shoutout from the sidecar — "This ride's for [your name], our Sidekick keeping us on the road!". Sent directly to you and posted on our socials.

$100 — The Pack Leader

  • The Impact: The Bedrock. This is a significant and meaningful donation getting us that much closer to covering full adoption fees.

  • The Perk: Your dog's name on the rig as a Memorial or Tribute. Send a photo of your dog, past or present. We'll add their name and photo to the sidecar and send you a pic of them "on duty." They'll be riding shotgun with every rescue dog we pull.

$300 — The Full Journey

  • The Impact: The Total Win. Fully funds one dog's adoption fee, medical prep, and their professional "Ride Report" film.

  • The Perk: You're the Presenting Sponsor — your name gets a dedicated credit in the dog's Ride Report film, and you choose the route through NOLA for that ride. We'll also send you a "Golden Ticket" — a digital card you can gift to someone ready to adopt. It says: "Your adoption fee has already been covered by someone who believes every dog deserves a home. Welcome to the family."

the perk package

Group of children posing with a dog in a motorcycle sidecar, all wearing matching yellow shirts, under a large tree. A camera operator is filming the scene.

join the pack

The engine is turning, but we need your help to cross the start line.

Sidecar Rescue is an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and we are currently in our "Build Phase." Your donations right now aren't just going to a general fund—they are directly funding the custom rig, the safety gear, and the initial launch costs that will get our first rider out of the shelter.

Be part of the "Original 50."

We’re looking for our first 50 founding donors to help us finalize the bike and sign our first rescue. Join the crew today!

sponsor the first ride

Contact us

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!