NOBLESVILLE, Ind. -- Troubling economic times are thought to be to blame for more Hoosier families dropping off their pets at area animal shelters.

The Hamilton County Humane Society shelter experienced a 55 percent increase in the number of owner-surrendered pets during the past 12 months, and most of those people cited financial reasons for their decision, spokeswoman Rebecca Stevens told 6News' Jennifer Carmack.

"Just when I think we can't get any more full, we do," she said. "There isn't another kennel to put a dog in and there isn't another cage to put a kitty in."

Some of the pets being surrendered need medical attention, which the owners' can't afford, or are given up by families who've lost their homes due to foreclosure, Stevens said.

"We had a family drive up in an RV, which they were living in … with two small children and a large dog, and they pleaded with us to take their pet," she said, adding that the father said he could either feed his family or feed the dog.

The shelter is also receiving fewer donations, Stevens said, which was making daily operations difficult, especially with the influx of surrendered animals.

"Just because of the change of the economy, it doesn't change the fact that [the animals] deserve a chance," she said.

The shelter is offering a reduced adoption fee of $65 for any owner-surrendered pet.

More Information:

Hamilton County Humane Society