Welcome to Lucky Paws, Albuquerque's most unique pet adoption center! Looking for a new pet? View all of our available animals at cabq.gov/pets.


To serve as tireless champions for the animals of Albuquerque by providing them the finest care available along with hands-on assistance in finding happy homes.

Lucky Paws: a storefront operation in a shelter business.
In 2006, Albuquerque’s HEART Ordinance made it illegal for pet stores to sell dogs and cats that were not sheltered or rescued animals within city limits. This forward-thinking effort put a serious dent in the puppy and kitten mill businesses in the area, and left a void in commercial venues where people could view animals available as pets. To fill this newly found void, the City’s Animal Welfare Department opened Lucky Paws, a retail store in Coronado Mall where only Animal Welfare shelter animals can be displayed for adoption.
Lucky Paws has been an incredibly successful venture and has contributed to an increase in the public’s opinion of what a shelter pet looks like. Since Lucky Paws opened 10 years ago, 22,000 have found homes through the adoption center. Lucky Paws is supported by a 501c3 registered charity, Friends of Lucky Paws, that assists with funding services and purchasing items needed to operate the store. You can learn more about our charity, or donate to help fund our efforts, here: www.saveluckypaws.org/Save_Lucky_Paws/Friends_of_Lucky_Paws.html

Help Us Spread the Word!
• Encourage potential pet adopters to go to Lucky Paws.
• Do not patronize backyard breeders or puppy mills. Adopt or buy pets from reputable breeders with valid permits.
• Spay or neuter your animals.

All Lucky Paws pets are spayed or neutered, immunized, microchipped, licensed, and ready to go to their new, loving, forever homes. All new pet parents must meet the City of Albuquerque qualified adopter requirements.

Who is a qualified adopter?
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Has never been convicted of any form of animal cruelty under any law
• Has never been convicted two or more times for any violation of the HEART Ordinance or any preceding animal ordinance
• Has never had any animal related permit revoked or suspended
• Has never failed to reclaim an animal from Animal Welfare
• Has not surrendered an animal within one year at the time of adoption
• Has never been convicted of child or domestic abuse.

Parking
We suggest parking on the southwest side of Boot Barn at Coronado Mall. New pet adopters are not allowed to show off their new friends by walking through the mall. Leaving the mall with your pet is only allowed through the foyer at the south end of the Boot Barn entrance.