Man’s best friend is said to be a loyal, furry loving dog and in my experience I have found that to be true. My family rescued our dog Jeremy 12 years ago from PAWS shelter in Chicago. My older brothers begged my parents, who finally gave in and took us to multiple Pet Smarts to look at the dogs they presented from shelters. We selected on Jeremy, a fun loving mutt who had been abused in his previous homes but still had a bounce in his step and was great with kids. We finally found our match.

There are canines waiting to be adopted all around us. According to ASPCA, 2.7 million shelter animals are euthanized each year. Although not all dogs can be saved, the number of animal euthanasians could drop dramatically if the decision to adopt over buy was made.

Puppy mills are infamous for churning out dogs in horrid conditions and are typically profit-driven. The Humane Society of the United States, which is the nation’s largest and most effective animal protection organization, runs the Shelter Pet Project. It is a public service ad campaign focused on spreading the word that pets in shelters are wonderful and lovable. Shelters can house the kindest and friendliest dogs in the area. All it takes to find your furry friend is the initiative and commitment to searching for your next sidekick to accompany you on all your adventures.

Dogs bring joy and happiness to the lives of those they touch, but adopting a shelter dog also makes the owner feel proud to help a dog in need. Taking care of your new pet will give you a sense of purpose and a new-found hobby that will keep you on your feet and active.

Shelter’s adoption prices range from $25-$140 and can sometimes be free when a promotion is ongoing. Another perk of adopting through a shelter is that most dogs are already neutered, so extra fees will not pile. While you may not be getting the purebred canine, the benefits of adopting a mutt will shine through as the years you spend with it exceed that of a purebred. Banfield Pet Hospital reports that medium-sized dogs live 11 years on average, while medium-sized purebreds live seven years.

In mid-October there are 259 dogs who would love to be a part of your family that reside in an ASPCA sponsored shelter within a 25-mile radius of La Grange. When you adopt a dog, you are saving a life and creating a relationship with an animal that will last.

So scurry to the local humane society and check out the dogs of the community, but be careful—it will be hard to depart without a fury friend of your own.