Rescue dog needs foster after surgery following heartbreaking past
JACKSON, NJ – After surviving a life of breeding and abandonment, a dog named Athena2 now faces a long road to recovery and nowhere to call home. The four-year-old pup, taken in by Volunteer Auxiliary for Animal Shelters Inc., is in urgent need of a foster following major surgery to repair her torn cranial cruciate ligament—a condition requiring a Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO).
The nonprofit group stepped in to help Athena2 after she was left homeless in the wake of her owners’ divorce. Previously used for breeding, the organization says Athena2 had been discarded once she was no longer profitable. The rescue accepted her with the promise she would never be let down again—only to discover she had a serious knee injury requiring surgery and specialized recovery.
Athena2 recently underwent TPLO surgery, a procedure that stabilizes the knee joint and is commonly required for large-breed dogs suffering from torn ligaments. The group says recovery in a kennel is not possible, as it requires strict confinement, short leash walks, and a quiet environment—none of which can be provided in a shelter.
Volunteer Auxiliary for Animal Shelters is now seeking a temporary foster home—ideally for 10 weeks, but a three-week commitment would help Athena2 get through the critical initial healing phase. The organization says fosters must be able to crate Athena2 and ensure she only goes outside on a leash.
Anyone interested in fostering is encouraged to complete the online application at https://form.jotform.com/73035861796163.
Key Points
- Dog named Athena2 abandoned after divorce needs recovery foster after TPLO surgery
- Volunteer Auxiliary for Animal Shelters Inc. is seeking a short-term foster home
- Foster must provide crate rest and controlled leash walks for recovery