A dog is recovering in a shelter after a pair of joggers came across a strange sight near a trail in a west-end park on Saturday: a suitcase that was fully zipped up — and moving.

When they opened it, they found the scared female Jack Russell terrier mix with no collar or ID tag.

Toronto investigators say they were called to the area near the Humber River trail around noon after the joggers reported the incident.

"She struck the jackpot when they found her in the park that day," said Wendy Burant, a supervisor for Toronto animal services who works at the west-end shelter where the dog has been recovering.

"She's doing good. She was a little timid at first, but she warms up quickly."

The city says the dog will remain in a shelter for the next five days before the process starts for her adoption. (Grant Linton/CBC)

Since she was found, her story has exploded on social media.

On Facebook alone, it's got more than 20,000 shares, with more than a few people asking how they can take her home.

The dog will stay at the shelter for at least the next five days, at which point the city will begin her highly-anticipated adoption process.

"She has a bright future ahead," Burant said. "She will find someone to love and adopt her and get the second chance that she deserves."

Police appealing for help

Toronto police are asking the public's for help to find out how the dog was abandoned along the trail.

Const. Jennifer Sidhu is asking anyone who recognizes the unnamed dog to step forward.

"The dog was located without any tags or ID so someone is missing this dog," she said.

Police released this photo of the dog hoping someone will recognize her or have information about the incident. (Toronto Police Service)

Sidhu says officers have checked camera surveillance footage and talked to nearby residents, but are still hoping for tips.

"If anyone recognizes this Jack Russell, please contact police."

'She could have frozen to death'

A local animal rescue organization, Black Dog Rescue, says the dog does not have a microchip that would help identify her owners.

The group said in a Facebook post that the suitcase seemed to have been dragged from a nearby parking lot and thrown down a hill.

The post also said the dog appeared to have had puppies recently.

"Thankfully the weather was warmer than normal or she could have frozen to death," the post, which had been shared more than 2,000 times by Monday afternoon, read.

"Whoever did this to her needs to be brought to justice. She deserves no less," the group wrote.

The group said many have inquired about giving the dog a temporary or permanent home, but stressed she is not currently up for adoption.