Our Mission
Animal Welfare Society exists to serve as the safety net for lost and homeless pets and to provide access to affordable services and resources necessary for long term well-being, so pets and their families stay together and thrive.
How we support our community
Founded in 1967, Animal Welfare Society (AWS) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization located in Kennebunk, Maine. The organization provides shelter, veterinary care, training and resources to more than 10,000 pets and community members annually.
AWS operates a progressive animal shelter and adoption center on a 40 acre campus in Kennebunk. The organization serves 18 municipalities in York County as the animal control impound facility for lost and abandoned pets. Furthermore, AWS works with rescue groups in other parts of the country to bring companion animals to Maine for adoption. By bringing together families through adoption and reuniting families whose pet has been lost, AWS is the community safety net for local pet families.
AWS’ suite of life-saving community programs help keep pets and their people together, especially in times of hardship. Resources include temporary boarding, pet food, supplies, veterinary care and assistance with behavior concerns. The on-site, full-service Community Veterinary Clinic supports the veterinary needs of resident pets and pets of local community members. Additionally, AWS works in collaboration with funding partners and veterinary professionals to deliver accessible spay/neuter and wellness services statewide, especially in remote, underserved areas of Maine.
A compassionate and professional staff, a team of 200+ dedicated volunteers and 300+ foster families support AWS’ programs and services. AWS is able to fulfill its mission through the generosity of those who contribute through financial gifts, in-kind support and bequests.
We envision a community where pets and their families thrive together.
Our Values
Community Focused
We are dedicated to supporting people and pets in our community through creating progressive, innovative programs and services so that pets can get what they need to thrive. We believe healthy pets make healthy people and healthy people make a healthy community.
Compassion
We demonstrate kindness, understanding, and concern for the animals and people in our community whatever their circumstances. We appreciate others’ perspectives, listen, acknowledge needs, and practice patience. We offer assistance and support in the absence of judgement
Collaboration
We acknowledge it takes all of us working together to successfully promote and protect the human-animal bond. We prioritize teamwork and partnerships in all that we do and commit to building positive relationships with individuals, groups, and organizations in order to further our mission and goals.
Inclusion and Equity
Diverse voices make us stronger. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, respected, and heard. We seek to build a fair, equitable, honest, and healthy place for our staff to work and for our community to seek support.
