Closed Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28

Pets and families thriving together

Founded in 1967, Animal Welfare Society (AWS) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization located in Kennebunk, Maine.

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.

Featured Pets

These pets have been waiting the longest for their new families to adopt them. Will one of them become your new best friend?

Our 2022 Impact

In a year like no other, we supported our pet community’s needs as families faced inflation, economic uncertainty and housing instability while also adjusting our operations to fit the “post-COVID” era. 

2,009

Pets Adopted

20,245

Procedures and Exams

47,495

Volunteers Hours

39,896

Pounds of Food
& Litter Provided

2023 Year in Review

Events & Appearances

Join us!

    From the Blog

    Whether it’s a dog who likes to blog, a cat who enjoys a chat, a bird who shares the word, or the occasional funny bunny, you’ll love hearing from our resident animals directly. Our blog also contains news & updates, training tips & tricks and more. Keep up with AWS!

    • AWS Shih Tzu Update

      AWS Shih Tzu Update

      As reported this week, AWS is caring for a number of shih tzus taken in by the state’s Animal Welfare Program last month. We are pleased to announce that the […]

      Read More

    • How to Control Counter Surfing

      How to Control Counter Surfing

      We’ve all been there; you’re right in the middle of cooking and you turn your back for just a moment. Suddenly, your half-baked, tasty treat is gone! You glance down […]

      Read More

    • World Kindness Day

      World Kindness Day

      Today, World Kindness Day, we want to give a special shout out to our amazing volunteers and foster families. The kindness and love you show our animals each and every […]

      Read More

    • Lovable Lady

      Lovable Lady

      Hi everyone. My name is Lady, and I am very glad to meet you! I am a lovable three-year-old German Shepherd who can’t wait to find my new home. When […]

      Read More

    Values That Guide Our Work

    Follow Us!

    @aws.maine

    For Animal Shelter Appreciation Week we encouraged you to share your Happy Homes stories with us, and you delivered! We wanted to share some of your stories that stood out to us.

Sesame now Chance:
“I adopted Chance in July of 2022. I should say he chose me. He has such a funny personality-he is quite vocal at 5am. Really he is adorable and a complete joy.”

Read Happy Homes and to share your story at the link in our bio.
    Don’t forget! Animal Welfare Society has been selected to be part of the Kennebunk @hannafordmkts' Bloomin' 4 Good fundraiser. AWS will receive a $1 donation from the purchase of each specially marked bouquets (look for the red circle sticker). Pick up a bouquet for your Thanksgiving table and to help the animals at the same time!
(This is at Kennebunk Hannaford store location only)