Little Sorullo is looking for a forever home after being abandoned at LAX. (credit: CBS)

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Two miniature black poodles were left at LAX after their owner told authorities she could not afford to ship the dogs back home.

KCAL9’s Juan Fernandez reported from LAX Friday evening, where an effort was already underway to find both of the dogs new homes.

While abandoning dogs at the airport is relatively rare, officials told Fernandez it has happened before.

Airlines charge anywhere from $175 to $250 per animal to travel as cargo.

Fernandez said the poodles’ owner was retiring overseas and found the cost to send the animals too steep. The crate she had them in to travel was not regulation size and she couldn’t afford to send them as cargo.

Both dogs were taken to the West LA Animal Shelter (11361 West Pico Boulevard, 213-485-0494).

Fernandez met 6-year-old Sorullo, who was left behind with his sibling, 3-year-old Tulip.

“He was shy, a little nervous, probably wondering what’s going on,” Fernandez reported.

One traveler felt the woman’s pain of having to leave her beloved dogs behind.

“That’s such an unfortunate circumstance,” he said. “You don’t know what their situation is.”

Fernandez also spoke to a woman who just arrived at LAX after traveling more than 15 hours with her dog. She couldn’t have imagined just leaving her little Maltese, Nona, at the airport in Barcelona.

“I would have had to give her to my mom, my sister, someone I trust,” Geraldine Klein said. “I would never have abandoned her. No, I would have found a solution.”

Fernandez said Tulip has already been adopted. He also said, “I got the chance to play with Sorullo. He’s a total lap dog. Perfect with families with small children or seniors.”

Anyone interested in adopting Sorullo should call the shelter and inquire about dog ID# A1470018.