WACO (January 7, 2010)--Local animal shelters prepared for the cold weather by bringing all smaller animals indoors and protecting bigger outdoor dogs with blankets and tarps over their cages.

"It's definitely colder than what our animals are used to especially here in Texas," said Karen Froehlich, director of the Waco Humane Society.

Froehlich says the shelter is in desperate need of a washing machine because one its two machines is broken.

"We're constantly doing laundry, especially in the winter months with the blankets," she said.

Animal shelters in McLennan and Bell Counties also need more food because the animals eat more during the winter months.

Froehlich says she's noticed an increase in the number of animals being brought in because people can't afford to keep them anymore.

"We have seen an increase in some people as far as moving from a home situation where they own, to a rental or apartment situation where than can't take their pets," she said.

There are currently 21 dogs at the Waco Humane Society that need foster homes for the next several days until the weather improves.