A seven-year-old dog who was found abandoned and starving in Toronto's High Park area earlier this month is recovering with foster parents after receiving emergency medical care that saved his life.

Django, a Jack Russell Terrier, was found wandering along a pathway by runners Rejean Chiasson and Paddy Birch in the cold early morning hours of Dec. 14.

"I kind of thought it was weird he had a collar but he was off-leash and I couldn't see anyone for a distance behind so I waited for a while but there was no one around," Chiasson told CBC Toronto.

"He looked like someone had left him there or like he wasn't treated that well just from being super skinny."

It was around -15 C outside so the pair took Django to a nearby restaurant, Grenadier Cafe, where they waited for the owner to turn up. When no one did, Chiasson said they planned to take him to an animal shelter before another friend, Justin Close, offered to take care for him for a few nights.

"I thought we were just doing a good deed by taking him in and that we'd have the dog for 24 to 48 hours until his owner was found," Close said, noting he never planned to foster the pup with a dog of his own already.

When Django was found in High Park he weighed six pounds, less than half the average weight of a male adult Jack Russell Terrier. (Justin Close/GoFundMe)

That night, Close says he took Django to a local veterinarian to be assessed.

"The Dundas Dovercourt Veterinary Hospital vet told us he had faced severe neglect, had been on his own for quite some time, and that his condition was critical," he said, noting Django weighed 2.7 kilograms. The average weight of an adult male Jack Russell Terrier is 6.8 kilograms, he said.

The next day, Django underwent treatment that stabilized him. Close says the veterinarian at the Dundas Dovercourt Veterinary Hospital waived the costs. But a follow-up series of tests, pain medication and antibiotics from the emergency clinic, which included X-rays and ultrasounds on his abdomen to determine if a lump is cancerous cost $1,600.

"We knew he needed a home. We didn't think he would require so much attention," said Close who describes his new house mate as a good-natured, curious dog who has quickly become a part of his family.

Justin Close describes Django as a good-natured, curious dog who has quickly become a part of his family. (Justin Close/Facebook)

On Tuesday, Close set up the GoFundMe campaign to help cover the cost of his rising medical bills, which has now raised more than $3,000 in 24 hours.

Close says the response from the community "has been incredible" and he plans to donate the leftover money to Save Our Scruff, a Toronto-based dog rescue and re-homing charity.

Django has a follow-up appointment with his veterinarian next Thursday.

"He is an amazing dog," said Close.