Extremely Obese Dog Needs A North Jersey Foster Home

HOPATCONG, NJ — After clocking in at a whopping 144 pounds last month, Freddy the dog is working hard at his therapy and already losing some weight.

Weighing in recently at 133 pounds, Freddy has made enough progress to leave the Hopatcong Animal Shelter where he has been staying, and move in with a foster family.

"Freddy has finally hit the point where I feel comfortable and confident he will thrive in a foster home. Freddy is good with other dogs and cats. He is unable to go up or down steps so he would need a family with minimal steps. Someone who understand he will need lift assist till he’s 100% able to get up on his own, right now some days are harder for him to get up," the shelter shared on their Facebook page. They are only accepting serious inquiries at the time.

Freddy was brought to the shelter about a month ago, and he was promptly put on a special prescription diet and started on an aqua therapy plan. A veterinarian things it will take Freddy a year to reach a healthy weight.

"Freddy has the drive.... he stands up on his own and will walk unassisted after he get up on his feet. 144lbs is a lot of weight for legs that should only hold 60lbs. It's going to be a long road but I will be there for him ever step of the way to make sure he lives the best life possible," the shelter said last month.

So far the road has been good. Freddy attends aqua therapy at Aqua dog and Cat Rehabilitation, which has been helping him become more mobile.

The community had shown an outpouring of support so far, donating cash, food, and other necessities to help rehab Freddy. In his honor, the shelter has created "Freddy's Food Pantry," which will help provide healthy food to local pet-owning families in need.

If you think you have room for Freddy in your home, you can call the Hopatcong Animal Shelter at (973) 398-5000, Facebook message them, or email [email protected].