SPRINGFIELD -- Food to put on the table is certainly more expensive. So is the food that winds up in a bowl by the door - -pet food prices have begun to rise.

The actual price increases in animal food have been pretty minor compared to other groceries lately but any cost increase at all is proving too much for many pet owners.

The Southwest Missouri Humane Society sees evidence of that in the number of calls it receives, as well as in the number of animals abandoned on its doorstep.

It used to be that around a third of the dogs and cats in their care were relinquished as a result of an owner's inability to afford them any longer. Now, that's increased to roughly half.

Officials are looking at ways to help these families, especially if that means they can keep the pet.

"If, short term, you can't afford food, contact us," said Humane Society executive director Bonnie Miller. "But, if you have the bigger situations, work with us. If you know you're going to have to move in with relatives, call us. Let us work with you. Let us get the information as much ahead of time as possible, so we can make sure we can bring your animal in and try and find it a home as quickly as possible."

The Humane Society is an independent organization that relies entirely on donations. So it's asking for help to help others. If you can contribute in smaller bags of dog or cat food that they can distribute, or with money or time, they'll take what help they can get.