Uplifting1 min(s) read

Overweight chihuahua found abandoned on highway 'immobile and frozen in fear'

An overweight chihuahua that was found abandoned in a locked crate alongside a New Jersey highway has found a loving new foster home.

The pooch is estimated to be around eight years old and weighs 21 pounds. To put the scale of his weight problem into context, that's twice what a chihuahua should weigh.

He was described as being "disabled and completely helpless" upon his discovery on Route 80 a few weeks ago, a Facebook post by the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge said.

This rescue puppy smiled for the camera in an effort to be adopted:

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Stanley was picked up by local animal control, and he was placed into a loving foster home where he is now getting the care and treatment he deserves.

"All four of his legs are so badly deformed that Stanley is unable to walk," the shelter's post revealed.

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Megan Brinster, executive director of Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, told CNN that Stanley is now living with a foster carer who has experience caring for elderly and disabled animals, so he's in good hands.

His carer described him as "loving and affectionate", and Stanley is working to get into better health. Once he's reached a healthy weight, he can go up for adoption.

In an Instagram post, the shelter explained that a combination of veterinary care and a proper diet are helping Stanley to reach his weight loss goal.

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As the pictures above demonstrate, the chihuahua is now living his best life and enjoying the summer sunshine.

The Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge is hoping to purchase a wheelchair for Stanley to help get around currently, and there is a fundraiser for the cause that you can donate to here.

"The outpouring of love has made us speechless," the shelter wrote on Instagram. "The underdog always deserves a chance."

This comes as a man rescued a "puppy" from the side of the road, only to find out that it wasn't actually a dog.

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