As prices rise on just about everything, many are looking for areas to cut back on. For some, that means parting ways with their four-legged friends.

Elizabeth Matlock brought the kids she baby sits to the Nebraska Humane Society for a second opinion. She's on a mission to find the perfect dog.

"We just know that it takes some time to find the right dog for the family." Elizabeth says she wouldn't go anywhere else. "Beautiful, beautiful animal, they take wonderful care of their animals here and I always like helping people, make sure dogs can get better homes."

Jim and Sharon Cline agree. "We feel it would be helpful for us and to the Humane Society." Others though aren't coming to adopt, but rather to surrender their pets.

“This year they noticed that more and more people were saying, gosh, I just can't afford this animal anymore or oh my gosh, I've lost my job or my house has been foreclosed upon,” says the Nebraska Humane Society’s Pam Wiese.

Over the Fourth of July weekend, the Humane Society offered all dogs at half-price, something they've rarely had to do.

Jim Cline says even in hard times, he doesn't understand giving up something you love. "Your kid doesn't make you struggle, so how does a pet make you struggle? If we happen to find the pet that needs a home, that's the one we'll get."

The slow economy isn't the only hardship pet owners are facing. There are 26 cats from the hard hit flooding area of Cedar Rapids.

"So that does our heart good to not only be able to help the cats in this area, but to be able to help out flood victims as well," says Wiese.

Elizabeth agrees she may be rescuing the animal she adopts, but says they help her, too. "You can always come home and there's always a face that's going to love you unconditionally, no matter what."

The Cline's great-nephew, William, has a simpler reason. "And one that I can play with, that's very, very playful." A playmate that's hard to put a price tag on.

The Humane Society says the economy is also affecting donations and volunteers. Those who live in outlying areas are cutting back on days they work or are carpooling to save gas.