Like a lot of other animal shelters, Heaven Can Wait, south of High River, has seen an increase in surrendered pets since the start of the year.

Kim Hessel says they started to see an increase in January and February of this year and it's stayed pretty steady since, calling it a sign of the times.

Statistically, Hessel says, there have been more cats than dogs dropped off.

"People try a little bit harder with dogs," she says. "I know when people are forced to make difficult decisions based on the economy I do feel the animals pay the price for that."

She says it puts all animal shelters in a bind because they all have limited space and resources and she's had to turn people away or try to convince them to try harder to keep their pets.

"A lot of times, things will be ok, things will settle down and things will be ok but it does take a little time for people to see that and sometimes when I'm talking to folks, I just really beg them to take a deep breath and things will be ok," She says. "And sometimes we can't do anything but help them because of the circumstances."

Hessel says just opening the door and letting them out is never the answer.