It’s easy to give up a morning latte or night out for dinner to save money – but what if you had to give up your pet?

Kathy Casper, administrative secretary at the Athens-Clarke County Animal Shelter, said she has seen more families giving up pets to deal with their economic struggles in the recession.

“I’ve had stories of people that are moving in with their family members who already have animals, so they can’t bring their animals in on top of that,” Casper said. “They don’t have any choice but to bring them here.”

Although the shelter holds dogs picked up off the street for five days to allow for potential owner retrieval, no such rule applies for owner surrenders.

Animal Control tries to give the animals as much time as possible to get adopted, but it depends solely on room available at the shelter. Dogs that the shelter cannot accommodate are euthanized.

Adoption rates tend to slow with the economy as well, according to Bly Bain, president of Athens Canine Rescue. The rescue group’s license allows it to hold only 25 dogs at a time, and the group can pick up new dogs from the animal shelter only as dogs are turned over.

Usually, Athens Canine Rescue averages five to 10 adoptions each month, but counted zero in September.

“More adoptions would be great,” Bain said, “but people just don’t have the money to take on a pet right now.”

The perceived increase in owner surrenders can be positive for those looking to adopt: many of these dogs are pure breeds, the same as those that can be bought at a pet store or from a professional breeder.

“People pick a certain breed of dog and they like that look or that specific personality,” Bain said. “And now you can really get that for a fraction of the cost by going through a group or a pound.”

Rescue groups are particularly useful for gauging how an animal will adjust to a new home, since they live with a foster family as they wait for adoption, Bain said.

“We learn its personality,” he said. “We learn if its good with kids and cats and how it does on car rides, how much exercise it needs, what treats it likes. We try to train it as well as possible. So you’re getting a dog that should blend in really well the day that you get it.”

Bain encouraged people who are unable to adopt to become foster owners through a rescue group, caring for a dog until it gets a permanent home. Athens Canine Rescue reimburses all expenses, including vet bills and food. The group also accepts monetary and supply donations.

ACC Animal Control also encourages donations as well as volunteers to come walk, play fetch and give time and affection to the sheltered dogs.

“We’ve had a steady stream of volunteers coming in and that always helps because of word of mouth,” said Patrick Rives, superintendent of Animal Control. “People come in and see a nice clean shelter and happy dogs, and that helps.”

Though adoptions may have slowed slightly, Christy Champagne, ACC Animal Control supervisor, said it is probably only temporary. She thinks people will keep adopting because the rewards are more than financial.

“You’re definitely saving a life when you adopt from here, and I think that’s a big incentive for people,” Champagne said.

“We certainly let people know that you do have to put dogs to sleep, and when you adopt from here you’re helping [prevent] that.”