A dog with a serious skin condition found wandering along the road in North Suffolk Saturday is “doing OK” and being cared for, according to the Suffolk Humane Society.

“Hope,” as the female pit bull has been christened, was found on Kings Highway between the site of the old Kings Highway Bridge and Bennett’s Pasture Road about 11:30 a.m.

Suffolk Humane volunteers were traveling to an opening event for the animal welfare organization’s new headquarters in Driver, when someone stopped them to report the dog, society Director of Community Outreach Kay Hurley said previously.

In an email late Wednesday, Hurley reported that a Suffolk Humane member is caring for Hope, who is on a course of antibiotics and steroids.

“She is wagging her tail when we approach and is gentle and allows us to take care of her,” Hurley stated. “I think she is very grateful.”

Earlier this week, Hope’s future seemed far more uncertain. It was not known whether her skin condition was contagious, which would likely have resulted in her having to be euthanized.

Handling Hope Saturday and riding with her in the back of a pick-up to the new Suffolk Humane office on Nansemond Parkway, Hurley had taken precautions against spreading and disease to other animals.

“I did not know what was wrong with her, so I changed clothes … I also washed my arms and spread hand sanitizer all over them as soon as I got back to the office,” Hurley stated.

A fund has been established to pay for Hope’s medical care. Any leftover money, Hurley stated, will be used to help other neglected animals.

Donations can be sent to Suffolk Humane, P.O. Box 5038, Suffolk, VA 23435 or made via PayPal. To earmark the money for the Hope Fund, make a note on the check, or email info@suffolkhumanesociety.com to direct a PayPal donation to the fund.

“I think this was really meant to be,” Hurley stated of the outcome for Hope so far. “She represents what we are all about, and I don’t think it is a coincidence that she was rescued just before we had the grand opening of our office.”