HAYDEN - After seven bowls of food, the skinny black lab wanted to keep eating. But enough for now, Kootenai Humane Society officials decided.

"We haven't had one like this for a long time," said Mary Powell, lead canine adoption counselor.

The 5-year-old dog, ribs easily defined against its fur, was brought to the shelter at the end of Ramsey Road on Tuesday. Its owner explained he was having financial difficulties and was unable to buy food for it.

It weighed 53 pounds. A fit lab of similar size should tip the scales around 80 pounds, said Rondi Renaldo, KHS executive director. She said it was one of the more severe cases of an underweight animal she has seen.

"It takes a while to get this way," she said.

But she did not fault the owner.

"He loved the dog. He just didn't know there were other resources available and didn't know what else to do," Renaldo said.

KHS offers a program called "CLAWS," which stands for Community Lifeline for Animal Welfare Services. It targets senior citizens and low-income residents with pets but without the finances to support them. It provides food for up to five dogs and cats per household.

Renaldo said because of the struggling economy, she is seeing an increase in the number of dogs and cats brought to the shelter because the owners simply couldn't afford to keep them.

The lab's owner wasn't sure how to get food for his companion.

"So he did the right thing by coming to us," she said. "He tried to do the best he could do, then he realized the dog should be in a better place."

Renaldo said she doesn't want other dog owners to be afraid to seek help if they find themselves facing a similar situation. She wants people to understand they have options.

"This is the way to help other animals," she said.

CLAWS depends on donations.

"If individuals are looking to help, they can donate food to us and then we can help others,"

The black lab dropped off Tuesday needs a new home. It is wonderful with other pets, Renaldo said, but is a little skittish around strangers.

Veterinarian Dr. Mary McKinney examined the dog Wednesday and said while it was well underweight, it was otherwise OK, with good teeth and a shiny fur coat. It has had its shots and has been neutered.

"He likes cats, he likes dogs, he likes people," Renaldo said.

It will remain at the shelter so its weight gain can be monitored by McKinney. Once it's deemed healthy, it will live with a foster family before being put up for adoption.

Who qualifies

for CLAWS?

• Senior citizens 60 and older

• Those who receive federal or state financial assistance.

• Those who meet the federal poverty income guidelines.

Program eligibility is reviewed bi-annually.

Info: 772-4019