ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Animal Services’ shelter is at capacity, and officials are urging community members to explore all their options before bringing a pet there.

The shelter has more than 700 animals under its umbrella of care, 383 physically at the shelter and an additional 319 in foster care, Animal Services officials said.

The number of pet owners surrendering their pets has surged in the past year, primarily because of housing costs, officials said. In May, Animal Services received 361 pets from owners no longer able or interested in caring for them.

Community members can help in a few ways, shelter officials said.

They urge residents who find stray pets to try to reunite them with their owners before bringing them to the shelter through steps like checking the animal for a microchip, posting the pet found on social media sites and putting up flyers in the area.

People considering surrendering their pets should try to get a friend, family member or a pet rescue group to take the animal instead, shelter officials said.

Animal Services also is urging people to adopt or foster animals currently housed at the shelter.

“If anyone has been looking for a sign to adopt, this is it,” Animal Services Manager Diane Summers said. “We have so many wonderful pets here deserving of a fresh start, we just need people to visit with an open mind and heart.”

Adoption fees for cats and dogs have been reduced to $25. Available pets can be found on the shelter’s website. Prospective pet foster parents can get more information on the shelter website.