Augusta-area dog owners are surrendering their pets to the local animal shelter at a higher-than-normal rate, a surge caused by the difficult housing market and high vet bills.

The Kennebec Valley Humane Society now has 37 dogs either in-house or with foster families, double the normal number, Hillary Roberts, director of the shelter, said Monday.

“A lot of the underlying causes for that are economic reasons,” she said. “People are losing housing, or they can’t afford vet care, relationship statuses are changing, but ultimately even in those cases it’s a housing or financial burden.”

In response, the shelter is slashing its typical adoption fee this week in hopes of getting the animals placed back into homes.

While the shelter, which serves 23 cities and towns in central Maine, sometimes accepts dogs from southern states with high rates of euthanasia, these dogs are coming from local families, she said.

Some of the 37 are currently with foster families to help them recover from illness and others are awaiting spay or neuter procedures. Ten are ready for adoption, including a bonded pair of senior dogs, one of which has heart disease, Roberts said.

On Friday afternoon, the humane society posted a letter to “fellow dog lovers” on Facebook offering to lower adoption fees to $25 through Saturday, May 4 to help find homes for the many dogs at the shelter.

“We need your help,” the post said. “Our shelter is in dire need of adopters for our many adoptable dogs. Right now, our adoption floor is overflowing with loving dogs who are anxiously waiting for someone to take them home.”

Roberts said the typical adoption fee is $125-$150 and they are hoping this week’s lower fee will bring people through the door.

Things went well on Saturday, when they adopted out 10 dogs, she said. But then five more came in.

“It’s tough right now,” she said. “And then when we look at, of my available dogs right now, seven of them are over five years old and three of them are over 10 years old.”

It takes longer to find homes for older pets, particularly for those worried about long-term vet bills, she said.

Of those awaiting adoption is Ellie, a 7-year-old Doberman pinscher with cancer. She welcomed the chance to go on a short walk Monday with Tesse Rau, visitor services manager at the shelter, who noted that Ellie is good with children — but not cats.

Another is Norman, a 5-year-old treeing Walker coonhound who would do well in a family that likes to hike, she said. But with a powerful sense of smell, he also has a tendency to put his nose where it doesn’t belong, she said.

“A lot of hounds get returned for being hounds,” she said. “He needs to be reminded that he can’t counter surf.”

Ellie and Norman are large dogs, which are also harder to place in homes, shelter officials said.

Each year, the shelter cares for about 2,000 animals, primarily dogs and cats but occasionally “pocket pets” such as bunnies and chinchillas, Roberts said.

Their placement rate is 97%, with most being adopted and some being reunified with families.

For the others, the shelter provides end-of-life care and there are some that are deemed unsafe for the community and are euthanized, she said.

Right now, they are focused on finding homes for Norman, Ellie and the others who are ready to find their forever homes.

“It’s hard to be in a busy crowded shelter for an animal,” she said. “There’s noises and sounds and smells that can just be really stressful.”

Roberts offered a few tips for those who may be interested in adopting a dog from the shelter, including making sure that all family members come to meet the dog. And if you already have a dog, bring that pet with you too.

“What we want people to think about is what their life is like because when they come in to adopt a dog we’re going to try and make the best match possible,” she said. “If you’re busy and you’re outside a lot and you want a hiking buddy we’ll match you up with a dog that has a good high energy level.”

On the other end of the spectrum, if you want a couch potato, they’ll help you find that too.

“If you work from home and you’re looking for a dog that is going to be restful and sleep by your desk while you’re working, we’ll find that match for you,” she said.

The shelter, which opened in a new location in December, is at 168 Leighton Road in Augusta. Visit their website at pethavenlane.org for up-to-date adoption listings and hours.