If you hadn't noticed, Houston has more than its fair share of homeless dogs and cats, and area shelters are generally overcrowded. The biggest weapon we have in the fight against an ever-increasing stray population is the ol' snip-snip sterilization. And earlier this year, the Austin-based Emancipet came to Houston's aid, offering desperately needed low-cost spay-neuter services. We're talking $65 for dogs and $35-$49 for cats, with a ridiculously low $5 office visit fee. Emancipet also offers vaccinations, heartworm tests, microchipping — everything you need to make sure your furry friend is healthy and safe. It hopes to open more clinics in the near future, and that's what we call dog-gone good news.

This family-owned costume emporium has been helping kids and adults play make-believe since 1976. Danny's has just about everything you could imagine for your dress-up desires, no matter what age you are or what kind of character you're looking for. They've got adult costumes, kids' costumes, plus-size costumes, sexy costumes, accessories, makeup — everything you need to transform yourself for Halloween, a theme party or that fan-fic Lord of the Rings play you've been working on for the past ten years. You can shop in the expansive store or online, and Danny's also has costumes for rent. The customer service and prices are outstanding — you'll want to dress up every day of the year.

READERS' CHOICE: Frankel's Costume