Meet Francis.

The young, black Labrador retriever is learning to trust people again after being abandoned by his family when he needed them most.

He was abandoned on the streets of San Diego, California, struggling to walk on his hind legs. His situation got worse when some cruel teenagers started throwing rocks at him.

Photo: Labs and More Rescue

Thankfully, a bystander intervened and called California Labradors Retrievers and More Rescue for help. The Oceanside rescue rushed to pick him up.

It was obvious to the volunteers who rescued him that every step Francis took was painful. He was examined by a veterinarian who discovered that the sweet boy was suffering from severe damage to the joints in his hind leg and would need surgery as soon as possible.

The rescue knows that Francis needs the surgery to get a second chance at the life he deserves, so they contacted Greater Good Charities' Emergency Animal Medical fund for support. The surgery and months of recovery and physical therapy will be expensive.

Rescues and shelters are unable to afford these costly procedures and treatment on their own, so that is why the Emergency Animal Medical fund was created. With your support, shelter pets get the lifesaving medical care they need.

"Francis is the most loving, sweet guy! Our team could tell he was acting a little shy when he first arrived, but it is amazing to see him open up more and more each day. It really feels like the sky is the limit with Francis based on how much progress he makes each day," his caretakers shared with us.

Photo: Labs and More Rescue

The sweet boy will have no problem finding a loving home once he recovers, but he needs your help to get there.

Help us meet our goal of $6,200 to feed and care for Francis. Your support will not only give Francis the hope to keep fighting, but your donations will help cover the surgery, ongoing care and food he will need.