PITTSBURGH -- The recession has been forcing just about everyone to make difficult cost-cutting decisions, especially those with pets.
Shelters around the country have been seeing an increase in abandoned animals, but they've also been reaching out to families with hopes of keeping pets in their homes.
"Usually when somebody makes a decision to relinquish an animal when they are here, they have already made that decision," said Gretchen Fieser of the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society.
WTAE Channel 4 Action News anchor Sally Wiggin talked with a man who was giving up three of his wife's five cats, all females.
"It is cheaper to get the males fixed than it is for the female," said Tim Bressler.
The Western Pennsylvania Humane Society serves as an open door shelter, meaning it accepts any animal that comes through the door.
The shelter saw 13,000 animals in 2008.
As of May 2009, surrendered pets were up by 400 from the same time the previous year.
With a goal of keeping more animals from walking through the door, the donor-funded Ellie's Pet Pantry was started by the Humane Society to help families keep their animals.
"It can be somebody who lost a job, is in between jobs, unemployment, death in a family. They do get help by coming through the pet pantry," said Fieser.
A low-cost clinic is also offered with discounts based on income.
"They are extremely amazing people -- good cost and efficient. Made sure I have everything I need," said Stephanie Hiers.
The Animal Rescue League -- also an open door shelter, offers a veterinary clinic open to the public.
"There are low cost vaccines, basic surgeries and preventative care that we do," said Charlotte Grimme, Executive Director of the Animal Rescue League. "What we ask people to do before they come down to surrender an animal is to call us. We may be able to help you keep that animal in your home."
A fund for special needs animals has also been established.
Animal Friends has partnered with 12 area food banks to provide pet food to people in need of food for their families called "Chow Wagon."
"We recently learned that 1,300 local families depend upon our chow wagon," said Jolene Miklas of Animal Friends.
Animal friends also counsels pet owners who call about low cost spay and neuter programs.
But even during tough economic times, some families are still willing to make sacrifices for their pets.
"I don't feel it is really an expense when it means so much to my daughter," said Renee Ashcraft.
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