An Animal Adoption Shelter in a Mall? New Book Shows Why it Works

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Oct. 4, 2013 - PRLog -- Is an adoption facility located in a mall really a good idea? How does the colorful environment and retail-type approach affect people who come to see the animals? Do the animals fare better in this environment than in the typical, grey-walled, traditional shelter? Author and animal advocate, Jessi Badami, takes an in-depth look at Lucky Paws, the City of Albuquerque’s animal adoption facility located in the Coronado Center Mall, and proves that not only is the concept a win-win for everyone, but it’s actually a model for how shelters should approach adoption.

The first part of Mall Dogs: Love and Adoption at a Retail Animal Shelter delves into the details, from how Lucky Paws was started to how it functions. A retail expert and a psychology expert each weigh in on how and why the Lucky Paws model is so successful. Next, eighteen adopters (interviewed and photographed for the book) share their inspiring stories of adopting from Lucky Paws. Finally, the book ends with a blueprint for other shelters, outlining 12 necessary steps for creating a retail-type adoption facility.

Author Jessi Badami explains, “Having interacted with shelters in New York, Washington state, and here in New Mexico, this was a revelation. The colors, the environment, the customer- service style of the manager and staff—everything about this facility represented a complete shift in the way we approach adoption. Instead of prison-like concrete cells, the animals at Lucky Paws are in colorful rooms, with toys and cozy beds. I observed that not only were the animals more comfortable here…so were the people who came to see and adopt them. Instead of a remote facility on the outskirts of town, as so many city shelters are, this was an exciting, busy place where the animals received hundreds more visitors and subsequently more chances for adoption. While some private shelter organizations are taking this approach, this was the first time I had ever seen a city shelter so forward-thinking about doing things better. I knew this was nothing short of revolutionary and that this was a story that needed to be told.”

Jessi Badami has been an author, photographer, and graphic designer for more than 20 years, and an animal advocate her entire life. She has volunteered or worked for organizations such as the ASPCA, Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue, PAWS, N.O.A.H., Animal Protection of New Mexico, and many more. Her writings on dog-related topics have been published in Albuquerque the Magazine, High Desert Dog, Making Tracks, and on dog blogs such as DailyKibble.com. She is president of the marketing firm, The Trixie Agency and writes the blog, DogParent.com.

Mall Dogs: Love and Adoption at a Retail Animal Shelter ($21.95 CreateSpace.com/Amazon.com, ISBN 978-0-9851943-1-4; $49.99 Blurb.com) a 118-page soft cover, is available in two formats: a smaller version is available at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Mall-Dogs-Adoption-Retail-Shelter/d...) and a deluxe format on Blurb.com (http://www.blurb.com/b/4526705-mall-dogs) . For more information, visit http://www.dogparent.com/malldogs/.

CONTACT: Jessi Badami, jessi.badami@gmail.com, 505-918-9610