HOUSTON -- Many pet owners will tell you their animals are more like part of the family. But 11 News is hearing about a disturbing trend that's separating families.

Tough economic times may have pets paying the highest price.

At the Houston Humane Society, a timid dog named Jaida nervously waits. Her surroundings are unfamiliar.

“(She’s) very confused obviously,” said the Humane Society’s Melanie Rushe. “She clearly is not loving life right now, because she's been uprooted from her home where she's lived for just about a year.”

Along with her human companions, you see, Jaida may not know the difference between foreclosure and fetch, but she's affected by it nonetheless.

Just as affected as the people forced out.

“It's so sad,” said shelter visitor Lauren Hord. “It shouldn't have anything to do with their pets. If they're losing their house, how would they not be able to keep their animal?”

If only it were that simple.

Take for example Misha.

“She was turned into us because her previous guardians were forced to move out and the only apartment they could afford didn't allow pets,” said Rushe. “And this dog's family had to pack up and leave Houston altogether.”

To put the depth of the problem in perspective, you only have to look as far as the numbers. In just under three months, the Humane Society has seen a 40-percent jump in the number of animals being dropped off because their owners are being forced to move.

Believe it or not. They're the lucky ones.

“People are moving and leaving pets behind to fend for themselves,” said Rushe. “They'll leave a bag of food and a prayer and they'll leave the faucet on drip.”

In fact, as we were shooting this story, the Humane Society received word of a dog abandoned in the backyard of a northeast Houston home.

By the time we arrived, all we could find was an empty bag of dog food and an open gate. The home was abandoned, as was the dog.