It’s Adopt a Shelter Dog Month—do you know where your best friend is?

My daughter’s birthday is in October and she’s been absolutely begging for a puppy. Now, we’ve told her we can’t get one right now—we just don’t have the room, with our two cats and our aunt’s old dog—but someday when we’ve got a larger place and she’s a bit bigger we’ll go for it. (We actually did try a puppy when she was two, which was  bit of a disaster!)

That said, if you’re a dog person who’s shopping for a new canine companion, why not do so at your local shelter this month? You’re sure to get a pup that’s been altered, so you won’t have to worry about more paws than you can care for. You’ll also be getting a dog that’s been taken care of, had its shots, and has a bit of background information to help you make your choice.

Millions of dogs are available in shelters across the country. With so many homeless pets, it’s more important than ever to make sure our furry friends are fully spayed and neutered to avoid more pets than we can care for. If you’ve already got a furry friend of your own, be sure that he or she is spayed or neutered!

Also, remember that taking in a pet is a big commitment; they say that if you can’t take care of a plant, you shouldn’t adopt a pet. I don’t really believe this so much, as I don’t have much of a green thumb at all but have successfully cared for dozens of pets in my lifetime. Just remember that a pet, like a child, needs health care, nutrition, a safe home, exercise and plenty of attention.

Shelter dogs make just as good as pets as any other dogs, if not better. Some of them may have been around children, making them safer to bring home to your own kids. Others may have been used to a quiet life with retired people, which might suit you just fine. About 30% of people give up their dogs to shelters because they say they have behavioral problems. Remember that these may not be serious; simple potty training and obedience classes can often easily remedy these and produce very loving companions who listen well.

Another 30% of dogs lose their families because a family loses its home itself. That’s no surprise in this economy; homeless people—or people moving into cheaper housing—can often yield homeless dogs. But with your help, these dogs can get a new healthy, happy life.