ST. LOUIS — The troubled economy is affecting pets as well as people.
The Humane Society of Missouri says 5 percent to 8 percent more animals were given away this year because families can no longer afford to care for them, or have been forced to relocate to a place where pets are not allowed.
Adoption center director Cyndi Nason says breeds such as pit bulls and Rottweilers are harder to find homes for than others.
The Humane Society is using all three of its metropolitan St. Louis locations, along with its rescue ranch near Union, to house the extra animals.