Bringing a loving pet into your home can be one of the most enjoyable things for family, but it also comes with great responsibility and can be costly.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reported that up to 2 million animals have been abandoned since the recession began in late 2007, and local shelters are picking up the slack.

The Humane Society of Parkersburg is at full capacity with 66 dogs and 44 cats.

The Humane Society of the Ohio Valley in Marietta has 70 dogs and has taken in 432 more cats than last year.

Officials from both shelters said the large number of animals is hurting their resources.

"We just had a woman in yesterday (Wednesday) that brought in her two elderly cats because she couldn't care for them anymore. She couldn't get them to the vet for their shots, and she couldn't feed them or take care of them, " said, Maryann Holis, the Executive Director of the Parkersburg Humane Society.

Steve Herron, the Executive Director of the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley said he is seeing the same thing happen.

"You have to factor in medicine, shots and paying our wonderful kennel technicians to take care of them day in and day out, "said Herron.

Both Holis and Herron said it takes about $14 dollars a day to care for one animal.

Both shelters are looking forward to the holiday season because of higher rates of adoptions.