UPPER FREEHOLD - An animal rescue group is offering a $1,000 reward as it tries to find the person responsible for abandoning a dog in the woods over Labor Day Weekend.

Hope, a lab that was found abandoned in the woods on Labor Day weekend.

The black Labrador had a plastic makeshift collar her neck when she was found at Assunpink Wildlife Management Area in Upper Freehold, according to the Associated Humane Societies and Popcorn Park. The collar read, "My name is Hope.....5 years old, very friendly, housebroken, loves to hunt."

It's the second time in a month a dog has been abandoned at the park. Mabel, who was found buried to her neck in mid-August, later died.

The area is a known dumping ground for abandoned animals, the rescue group said.

Hope was taken in and given food, water and a bed on which to rest. The thin dog had eye and ear infections, the animal rescue group said.

Veterinarians at Popcorn Park in Lacey rehabilitated Hope and she was deemed ready for adoption this week, the shelter said in a Facebook post.

Described as mellow and somewhat shy but very friendly, Hope gets along well with larger dogs, but needs to be in a home without either cats or small dogs the shelter said.

Our beautiful friend Hope is ready to begin her search for a wonderful home where she will be treated much better than... Posted by Associated Humane Popcorn Park Shelter on Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Anyone interested in adopting Hope to making a donation toward her medical care can visit the Facebook page of the nonprofit Associated Humane Societies and Popcorn Park.

Anyone who knows who abandoned Hope is asked to call the rescue group at 609-693-1900 or email them at njhumane2@aol.com.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.