Howl & Growl 2026: Halloween Fun for Pets & People (Boofy's on Golf Course)

Albuquerque’s favorite pet-friendly Halloween celebration returns for another year of spooky fun, wagging tails, creative costumes, and festive treats!
Boofy’s Best for Pets and Tía-Mom’s Cocina are thrilled to present HOWL & GROWL 2026, a beloved annual tradition that brings together pets, families, and the local community for an unforgettable afternoon of Halloween excitement. Whether your pet arrives dressed as a superhero, a spooky creature, or something delightfully ridiculous, there’s fun around every corner.
Join us for costume contests (eight categories!), trick-or-treating, adoptable pets, festive activities, tasty food, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate the season with fellow animal lovers. For years, HOWL & GROWL has been one of Albuquerque’s most anticipated Halloween events, creating memories for pets and people alike.
Soooo... grab your costumes, leash up your favorite furry, feathered, or scaly sidekick, and get ready for a howlin' good time at HOWL & GROWL 2026!
HOWL & GROWL 2026 takes place Sunday, October 25th, from 1pm-4pm at Boofy's Best for Pets' original Westside location (8201 Golf Course RD NW, #C2, Albuquerque 87120; tel: 505-890-0757).
Admission to HOWL & GROWL 2026 is FREE, however some contests and activities request a small donation to support the animal rescue groups and nonprofits participating in the event. Animal participants should be on a leash or in a secure carrier. All well-behaved critters are welcome to participate — dogs, cats, chickens, ferrets, bunnies, pigs, goats, hermit crabs, reptiles, jackalopes, unicorns, and humans of all ages!
The live Halloween costume contest begins at 2:30 pm and features eight categories. The top 3 winners in each of the eight contest categories will receive a gift certificate to Boofy's ($50, $30, or $20). The Halloween costume contest categories are:
Best Big Dog Costume
Best Medium Dog Costume
Best Small Dog Costume
Best Cat or Other Non-Dog Critter Costume
Best Human Child Costume
Best Human Adult Costume
Best Dynamic Duo (two pets, two humans, or pet + human)
Best Family/Group Theme (all pets, all humans, or pets + humans)
The $5 suggested donation per entry in the costume contests benefits the nonprofit groups participating in the event. Enter as many contests as you like!
PROCEEDS FROM HOWL & GROWL 2026 BENEFIT THE FOLLOWING ANIMAL-RELATED AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS:
ALBUQUERQUE ANIMAL WELFARE (Kennel Kompadres)
F.A.T. KATZ
MEALS ON WHEELS NEW MEXICO
PAWS TO PEOPLE
PAWSITIVE LIFE RESCUE
SAFE PLACE ANIMAL RESCUE AND SANCTUARY
STREET CAT HUB
PARTICIPATING VENDORS AND BUSINESSES:
Best Friends Pet Passings and Cremations
Chemima's Metaphysical Mathoms
Chicken Salad Chick
Covenant House Crystals
Hen.naful 100% Natural Henna and Hair Tinsel
Herbals and Insights
Hike Doggie Sandia
K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel Albuquerque
Ms. Bathory's Apothecary
NM Poop Fairy
T and A Vintage
Tía-Mom's Cocina
Wicked Alchemy Candle Co.
NON-VENDING SPONSORS:
Jen&Joop Productions
Sip Sorceri