Ralph is a 6-month-old Pit Bull in Oakland, NJ, who needs $2,000 for urgent surgery.

When Ralph arrived at the animal control shelter, he was emaciated, could barely walk, and had maggot-infested infections in his muzzle, tail, and paws.

If that was not horrific enough, Ralph also contracted parvo, a potentially fatal virus. Despite barely being able to lift his head, Ralph remained unbelievably grateful, cooperative, and sweet.

Animal control officers contacted Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge for help. Without immediate hospitalization, Ralph would not make it.

The rescue rushed Ralph to the Oradell Animal Hospital, where veterinarians discovered there was a horror story behind his condition.

"Ralph's muzzle, which looks like it was tied shut, swelled from abscesses and his wounds were from cigarette burns," Amy H., with the rescue group, tells Waggle. "We can't even imagine the abuse he endured while being starved."

The nonprofit group is desperate for donations to help pay for Ralph's hospitalization and surgery to remove his infected tail. They are optimistic with round-the-clock care combined with his fighting spirit -- he will pull through!

"Our resources are stretched to the limit when the cost of care is at an all-time high, and donations have fallen, but we just couldn't leave Ralph to fight alone," Amy says.