SAN ANTONIO -- Food banks across the country are feeling the effects of a declining economy, both in a drop of donations as well as increased demands, but the problems don't stop at food banks for humans.

Pet Pals of Texas, a food pantry for animals owned by the elderly and disabled, said their demand for services have increased as people have been forced to decide between feeding themselves or their animals.

"We're having people with Meals on Wheels that are sharing their meals with their pets just to make sure their animals are getting fed," said Linda Whittington of Pet Pals of Texas.

The group has about $4,000 left in its bank account, Whittington said, and will struggle to make its monthly delivery to more than 200 clients this weekend.

"I would hate to think that one of our clients would have to give up their animal because we weren't there, we couldn't help them," she said.

Pet Pals gets most of its food from area shelters, but those shelters are now giving that food to pet owners who are trying to give up their animals because they can no longer afford to keep them, Whittington said.