What better time to get a new pet than during adopt-a-dog month.

While any month is a great month to adopt a dog from your local animal shelter, the month of October holds a slight edge over all the others. Since 1981, the American Humane Association (americanhumane.org) has celebrated “Adopt a Dog Month” in October, and as the organization has for 35 years, it encourages animal lovers to “save lives and enhance their own lives by adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue group.”

AHA established the event to draw attention to the wonderful variety of dogs available at animal shelters and through rescue organizations. As the organization’s website states, a local shelter “is the perfect place to find dogs of every type, size, age and personality—all waiting for a loving home.”

October also has the distinction of being “Adopt a Shelter Dog Month,” as designated by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (aspca.org). ASPCA, based in New York City, encourages potential dog owners to consider adopting from shelters before looking elsewhere for that perfect pet.

Are you ready to celebrate Adopt a (Shelter) Dog Month? AHA suggests checking with your local animal shelter to find out if it has planned any special adoption events. Many shelters will lower adoption fees, provide discounted health checks or offer dog-care goodies such as collars, leashes, toys or treats to new owners who adopt dogs in October. If you have been considering adopting a dog, now might be the perfect time.

Here are a few other ways you can help homeless dogs:

If you are currently unable to adopt a dog in need, consider volunteering at and/or donating to a local shelter or rescue.
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Volunteer at your local animal shelter or rescue group. You might have a special talent the shelter needs (such as accounting or marketing) or you might simply be a helping hand.
Donate to your local animal shelter or rescue group. Many shelters also appreciate donations of supplies. Check to find out what they need.
Have your dog spayed or neutered (if you haven’t done so already). In this way you will do your part to help prevent pet overpopulation.
Make sure your dog has proper identification, such as a properly fitting collar with ID tag, a microchip or both.
Spread the word. Is your coworker or neighbor talking about getting a dog? Let him know how many wonderful canine companions are waiting for him at his local animal shelter. Mention Adopt a Dog Month on your social media accounts, too.

About the Author: Stacy N. Hackett is an award-winning writer with more than 25 years’ experience in the pet industry. She is the former editor of Pet Product News and a former staff editor with Cat Fancy, Cats USA, Critters USA and Ferrets USA. To learn more about her work, visit stacynhackett.vpweb.com.