October is recognized as adopt-a-shelter-dog month and there are opportunities to care for shelter dogs in Washington.

Paws & More Animal Shelter Director Amber Talbot says on average they have 10-12 dogs in their shelter at any time. Talbot argues with misconceptions that shelter dogs are less trainable than bred dogs, “Every dog is an individual and I think that is one of the most important things to consider when thinking about adoption of a dog. If that animal is in a shelter it doesn’t mean that it’s any different, it’s just a dog or cat that happens to be in those circumstances.”

Talbot says there are many personal benefits to adopting a dog, “It gets you moving for sure, it keeps you active, it keeps you from getting lonely. I think it creates a more social atmosphere for people. A lot of people love to share their stories about their pets so it creates a topic for people that may be shy, so they would have something to offer to a conversation.”

For dog lovers who aren’t able to adopt or foster a shelter dog, Talbot says there are opportunities for people to volunteer at Paws & More. She recommends petfinder.com for those who are looking to adopt a specific breed.