Only a handful of pet adoptions at Tri-County Humane Society in past two weeks

BOCA RATON, Fla. - You may notice a few extra barks at Boca Raton's Tri-County Humane Society. That's because adoptions have almost come to a halt.

"Yesterday to open for business and not have anyone come in to look at the dogs, it's heartbreaking," says staff member Amanda Chussler.

Only five dogs have been adopted in the last two weeks, usually five are adopted out in one day. Chussler can't quite wrap her head around why.

"It's not the adoption fee, I'm not sure what is going on," says Chussler.

Lovable and trained, most of the dogs have one strike against them, they're not puppies anymore. Take 8-year-old Prince for example.

"The reason for him is he's a little bit older and people want young dogs," says volunteer Bobbi Shafir.

Shafir volunteers at the no-kill shelter regularly. She speculates another reason for the slowdown is the economy.

"People need to lay out money for things other than dogs unfortunately," says Shafir.

In the two hours NewsChannel 5 spent at the shelter, only a handful of people came in to look at the dogs. Only one dog went to a new home. Two-year-old Oreo, who has been here since June, got adopted.

He will likely be the only adoption of the day. The fewer pets that get adopted out, the fewer lives the shelter can save.

If you are interested in adopting an animal, call the Tri-County Humane Society at (561)482-8110. Or visit www.tricountyhumane.org