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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- We all know the economy is bad and we're all trying to cut back.

But while we're well aware of job loss and high utility costs, you may want to remember your furry friends in this recession.

But when it comes down to it, some people simply can't afford a four-legged friend.

"There's people that it's legitimate, they're coming between I can't feed my kids or properly take care of the dog.  A lot of the other situations are, ‘we're having to downsize our home,’" said Adair County Humane Society Shelter Manager Miss Decker.

Decker said there are things you can do to make the most of your money in these harsh economic times and still care for your pet in a healthy way.

When it comes to food, going cheap could cost you more in the end.  "A lot of people tend to thing that the generic food is going to get them ahead in the long run, when actually a lot of the higher quality foods, you feed less.  So you're actually coming out a little ahead plus the health benefits," said Decker.  Those benefits include keeping your pet's weight and heart healthy, and keeping Fido active.

As for staying current with your pets shots, the experts say that too will pay-off in the long run.  "It may seem like something every month that's hard to do, that fee for them, but in the long run, that saves the $1000 or more that you can pay to do a treatment for heartworms," said Decker.

And when it comes to spaying and neutering your pet, it's not just about preventing a litter.
It can prevent various forms of cancer and tumors.

To save on pet care, you don't even have to go to the store to buy toys.  You can use things around the house, like a sock for example.  You can also use a small bill bottle with a bell in it for cats.

No matter what your financial situation is, turning the pets out on the street is not a wise choice.

"That's why a shelter is there.  We're there to try to help those people and try to re-home the dogs or cats that they're bringing in," said Decker.

And don't forget, you can see pets available for adoption in our ‘Pet of the Week’ segments twice each week.  On KTVO News in the Morning each Friday we have a pet from the Adair County Humane Society.  And on KTVO News on Sunday nights, you can meet a pet from the Heartland Humane Society in Ottumwa.

And you can always log-on right here to see the featured pets along with information on how to adopt them.  Just click on the ‘Community’ tab to find the ‘Pet of the Week’ pages.