Miniature schnauzers Sarie, in red, and Joey are walked by a Humane Society volunteer in Omaha on Nov. 24. The nine-year-old dogs were dropped off anonymously with a note that said their owners could no longer afford to keep them. (Nati Harnik/Associated Press)

A growing number of Americans are giving up their dogs and cats to animal shelters as the emotional bonds between people and pets get tested by economic ones.

From the Malvern, Pa., man who turned his two dogs over to help pay for his mother's cancer treatments, to the New York woman who euthanized her cat rather than keeping it alive with expensive medications, rising economic anxieties make it increasingly difficult for some pet owners to justify spending $1,000 a year or more on pet food, veterinary services and other costs.

In B.C., officials with the North Cariboo SPCA said many people can no longer afford to pay for pet food and vet bills. She also said the faltering economy forces many people to relocate often to rental complexes that don't allow pets. Meanwhile, the population growth at animal shelters in Connecticut, Nebraska, Texas, Utah and other states shows how the weak economy is also shrinking the pool of potential adopters. And it coincides with a drop-off in government funding and charitable donations.

The effect has been cramped quarters for dogs and cats, a faster rate of shelters euthanizing animals and some shelters turning away people looking to surrender pets, according to interviews with several shelters and animal advocates. Of the estimated six million to eight million dogs and cats sent to animal shelters every year, half are euthanized and the rest adopted, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

"It's definitely discouraging for us," said Adam Goldfarb, a Humane Society spokesman. "One of our major goals is to develop and celebrate the bond between people and animals. It's so tragic when families reach a point when they can't afford to care for their pets."

An Associated Press-Petside.com poll found that one in seven owners countrywide reported reduced spending on pets during the past year's recession. Of those cutting back, more than a quarter said they have seriously considered giving up their pets.

'For somebody to say, 'I can't afford to feed my dog' — it's a humbling time.'—Amy McNally, SPCA

The average annual cost of owning a dog is about $1,400 US, while the average annual cost of a cat is about $1,000, according to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association. The survey suggests there are some 231 million pets — excluding fish — in more than 71 million homes in America.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Virginia Beach, Va., recently began a program called Help Out Pets Everywhere, or HOPE, to provide food, medical care and temporary homes for pets belonging to families with financial difficulties.

The program received 18 applications within its first week. Some of those people have never experienced hardship until now, and therefore, neither have their pets, McNally said.

"It's been devastating," said Amy McNally, a spokeswoman for the program. "For somebody to say, 'I can't afford to feed my dog' — it's a humbling time."