Albuquerque’s favorite pet-friendly Halloween celebration returns for another year of spooky fun, wagging tails, creative costumes, and festive treats!

[Interested in being a vendor at Howl & Growl 2026?  Click HERE to submit your application online!] 

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:

HOWL & GROWL 2026 EVENT LOCATION:   

Boofy's Best for Pets
8201 Golf Course RD NW, #C2
Albuquerque, NM  87120
(in Petroglyph Plaza on the southwest corner of Golf Course & Paseo Del Norte)
Tel:  505-890-0757