UPDATE: Rafiki is in recovery.  

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Ten minutes before the Humane Society of Manatee County closed Friday, a Good Samaritan walked through the door carrying a nearly lifeless puppy.

  • Rafiki was found Friday afternoon
  • Shelter staff is concerned about his condition
  • If he survives, his rescuer would like to adopt him

She told staff members she found him in the middle of the road. A bag of food and a tube of medicine was sitting next to the young pup. Temperatures were in the 90s.

The puppy’s new name is Rafiki. He’s between eight and nine weeks old.

"Not much is known about Rafiki just yet," said Brenna Beightol, the shelter manager. "He is missing a lot of hair, has scabbing all over his body, a red eye which may indicate head trauma. We are fighting for him to make it through the night."

If he does survive, Beightol said the woman who found him would like to adopt him. After finding him on National Dog Day, the two formed an immediate connection.

Anyone interested in donating to Rafiki or any other animal at the shelter can visit the Humane Society's website