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Poor Economy Blamed For Overcrowding At San Francisco Animal Shelter

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Tough economic times are being blamed for an unprecedented overcrowding at San Francisco's animal shelter.

More dogs are being brought in than space is available.

San Francisco's Animal Care and Control Deputy Director Kat Brown said they're taking in 25 more dogs per month than in the past two years, and she attributes that to the poor economy.

"People can't afford to keep their pets as much as they could before, and we're finding more strays."

KCBS' Anna Duckworth:

Brown said there are 95 kennels and 110 dogs, a number she's never seen in her 12 years with the shelter.

Animal control officials are not only asking people to adopt, they are asking those who have to turn in dogs to wait a week or two until there's more room.

They're also requesting that if people find strays to register them with the shelter but keep the animals temporarily if possible.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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