MOULTRIE — People aren’t the only ones in Colquitt County feeling the pinch of the economic downturn. Canine and feline companions are being dropped off at the animal shelter by owners who cannot afford to care for them.

In recent weeks four dogs and a cat have been dropped off at the Humane Society of Colquitt County by owners who said they could no longer afford to feed the animals, shelter Director Don Flowers said. The shelter is pretty much at capacity with about 130 animals, although December was a record month for adoptions with 56 dogs and cats finding new homes.

Flowers said he suspects that several animals left by owners were dropped off due to economic hardship. And Flowers said he would like to see a food bank for animals developed.

“People can’t afford to feed their animals and they’re bringing them in,” he said. “Food is high,and it’s just an expensive add-on they don’t need at this time. A month ago we had a guy bring in a dog he’d had for seven years. Some of these are purebred dogs.”

Veterinary bills are high, particularly for someone with a pet that has health problems, but food is the major obstacle for owners, Flowers said.

Flowers said he would like to help owners keep their animals by donating food, but the shelter does not have extra food to spare in the effort at this time.

“We’ve been really short on dog food,” he said. “It’s critical right now. Dog and cat food, bleach and Pine-Sol are what we really need.”

The shelter is a non-profit agency and does not receive governmental subsidies, although it does contract with the city of Moultrie and Colquitt County to pick up strays.

Shelter personnel also are charged with answering calls about potential abuse of dogs and cats, and dog bite cases, and respond to about 125 calls per month.

The shelter takes in between 250 to 350 animals each month, with the majority of those being dogs, Flowers said. Animals who do come in have roughly a one-in-10 chance of finding a home as adoptions average only about 30 per month. In 2008 more than 2,400 dogs and cats were euthanized.

As far as the record number adopted in December, Flowers said it could be that families looking to get a dog for Christmas decided to adopt from the pound rather than spend $400 on a dog at a pet store. Adoption from the shelter is $85, which includes spaying or neutering, worming and rabies shot and having a locator chip implanted.

Information about agencies offering food and spaying or neutering assistance is available through the Humane Society of the United States at http://www.hsus.org. The Web site also offers tips on paying pet medical bills and breed-specific resources.

Flowers said he is not sure whether the large number of adoptions for December is a trend or a one-time event, but February traditionally is a strong month for people to adopt pets. And the economic downturn likely will cause people to bring in more pets to the facility.

“Right now a lot of people are considering an animal as something they just don’t have to have,” Flowers said. “I’d really like to see something started here like a food bank for dogs. That way they would at least be able to keep their animal.”