INDIANAPOLIS -- Pet owners who want to give up their animals to the Humane Society of Indianapolis will soon need to make a reservation and get some counseling before the agency will take them.

The organization hopes the move will dissuade pet owners from giving up their animals because of issues that can be corrected at home, 6News' Cheryl Jackson reported.

"If your dog keeps knocking over your children or getting on the counter, or if you have a cat that is using your plant as a litter box, a behaviorist can help solve those problems," said Martha Boden, CEO of the Humane Society of Indianapolis. "We want to see if there is a chance before they even get here to change their minds."

The agency will also stop taking in stray animals. The move, which is expected to go into effect later this month, is designed to save space and to cut a massive operating budget shortfall the humane society has had for years.

Last year, the organization euthanized 3,000 animals. Typically, older animals are the first to go because younger animals stand a better chance of adoption.

The Humane Society hopes to drastically reduce the number of animals that have to be put down because of its space constraints by having fewer animals there in the first place.

"To me, a pet is like a child. You wouldn't take it and drop it off somewhere," said Sherie Castle, who supports the new policy.

The agency hopes its main service will be repeat customers who come to adopt a second animal.

Last year, the facility took in about 9,000 animals, 21,000 of them strays. With the new policy, there are concerns that Marion County's other large shelter, Animal Care and Control, will have to deal with as many as 5,000 additional animals annually.

Humane Society officials asked anyone with questions about the policy to call them at 317-872-5650.