After police found a puppy abandoned in frigid temperatures, they believed the animal may already be dead. Despite organ damage, a low body temperature, and more, however, a local animal shelter is "feeling hopeful" about the dog's survival.
Police discovered the dog, a Siberian husky, "in a crate under a bridge" in Erie, Pa., on Monday, Jan. 19, and contacted ANNA Shelter around 7 p.m., according to the organization, which later that same day shared the dog's story on Facebook.
Temperatures in the city on the day of the dog's discovery ranged from 4 to 23 degrees, below freezing, according to data from The Weather Channel. Initially, the approximately 6-month-old pup "was believed to be frozen and possibly already deceased," the shelter said.
The husky puppy -- whom the shelter has named Aimee after the police dispatcher "who took the original call about this special soul" -- arrived at ANNA shortly after, with staff reporting that she was alive but unresponsive, according to the initial post.
Upon arrival, Aimee had a temperature of 94 degrees and a heart rate of 46 beats per minute. (Normal dog body temperatures range from 99.5 degrees to 102.5 degrees, and normal heart rates for puppies under 1 range from 120 to 160 beats per minute, per the American Red Cross.)
Additionally, Aimee "was covered in feces; [had] frostbite on all four paws; and reeked of urine," the shelter said. She also weighed just 15.2 lbs., with ANNA describing her in the post as "literally a rack of bones."
The situation was dire, but has since improved thanks to "warm blankets," blow drying, petting, medication, and more, according to the shelter's initial post. After three and a half hours, "our girl was stretching her legs and trying to lift her head," per the post.
"We are feeling hopeful for this girl, but she is far from out of the woods," the shelter said on Jan. 19, noting that a staff member would be monitoring the pup overnight. Added the shelter, "Praying tomorrow brings great news for us all."
ANNA Shelter will be working with Erie police to "get justice" for the puppy, the post claimed.
The Erie Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
Since Aimee was first found, ANNA has shared several updates on her condition.
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, ANNA revealed that in the dog's first 24 hours in the shelter's care, the "warrior" puppy had attempted to roll over and stand up on her own.
"Within that time," the shelter said, she also "had 2 [bowel] movements and urinated! Those are BIG BIG things for a dog who was left to die and nearly froze to death the night before!"
The pup has suffered "major" damage to her organs, but "there is hope they will recover," and a plan for her recovery is in place, per ANNA. Added the shelter, "Aimee isn't giving up, and neither are we!"
In the most recent update -- a video shared Wednesday, Jan. 21 -- Aimee can be seen walking on her own, with no physical support. She's "still very weak and wobbly," per the post, "but she's trying!!!!"