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A local dog rescue is raising funds to help a 6-month-old puppy after he was hit by a car Monday morning in Bethlehem.

Carlee Nelson, president of Bethlehem-based , said a woman fostering the dog, Dexter, was taking Dexter and her dog, a beagle mix named Cooper, for a walk when they were hit by a vehicle on Main Street near West Taurus Street.

Bethlehem Police Capt. Nicholas Lechman said the crash happened about 7:45 a.m. He said it appears as though the driver of the vehicle failed to see the woman and her dogs crossing the road, and hit them while turning left from West Taurus Street. The driver was not injured, and immediately stopped at the scene.

Members of the Bethlehem Fire Department had to remove Dexter from underneath the vehicle. Cooper did not survive his injuries. The woman walking them suffered minor injuries.

Dexter, a Labrador retriever mix, was a stray in Philadelphia. He was taken in by the rescue, and came down with pneumonia and had to be treated for that. After going through all of that, he was set to be adopted Friday before the crash. That adoption still is pending.

“He’s such a young dog and he’s been through the wringer in such a short amount of time,” Nelson said.

Now, the pup is being treated at Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center for the injuries, which include severe contusions to his lungs and road rash.

While Dexter did not break any bones, he is in critical condition and dependent on oxygen. He has chest tubes in place to keep the air off his lungs to heal, according to the rescue. Nelson estimated about $10,000 will be needed to help Dexter. About half of that has been raised as of Wednesday morning.

A video posted on the rescue’s Facebook page showed a recovering Dexter still affectionate with people, despite his injuries. Still, every day is “touch and go” for him, Nelson said.

“I’m hoping for the best for him,” she said.

In addition to trying to help Dexter, the rescue is mourning the loss of Cooper, a dog that helped many foster dogs open up to their new lives, according to Nelson.

“Losing him, it’s horrible,” she said. “Everyone’s just devastated.”

Those who wish to donate may do so on the Facebook page, .

Donations may also be made through PayPal at or through the cash application Venmo, to the username @freedomfirstrescue.