Pets & 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 pets through adoptions, affordable services and resources, so pets and their families can 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?
Community 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!
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Legacy: Storytime Is Better With Kids
I’m Legacy, and right now I’m spending my days at the Kennebunk Free Library. There are plenty of things I enjoy here — windows, bugs to monitor, cozy nap spots and lots of visitors — but my favorite part? The kids. Kids Are My People I really, really like kids.…
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Why Is There Cabbage in This Cat’s Bandage?
There are some things you expect to find in a veterinary clinic: bandages, medications, stethoscopes. Cabbage probably isn’t one of them. But recently, one of the cats in our care needed exactly that — which is how a donated cabbage became part of her care plan. So… why cabbage? One…
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Your New Favorite Relative – Floki
Snacks, Snuggles and Funcle Energy Dear family currently missing a funcle, Every family needs one: the fun uncle who shows up ready to play, encourages a little harmless chaos, has plenty of opinions and somehow ends up asleep on the couch afterward. That would be me. The Funcle RÉSUMÉ I’m…
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Poppy’s First FHO Surgery
Help Poppy heal now and get ready for surgery number two. Donate to support her recovery. Follow Fancee and Poppy’s Progress >> Poppy is still just a puppy, but at only 8 months old, she is already facing a problem more often associated with older dogs: painful hips. Unlike Fancee,…
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Inside Fancee’s FHO Surgery
Help Fancee recover. Support Give Them a Leg Up. Donate today! Follow Fancee and Poppy’s Progress >> Before Fancee ever made her way from Tennessee to AWS, she survived being hit by a car, leaving both of her hips injured. Now, at just 1 year and 5 months old, she…
Happy Homes
Whether you adopted from us, visited our Clinic, took a Canine Training class or utilized the Stay@Home program, we want to hear from you. Share your Happy Homes story with us today.
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Dreamcatcher now Swirl
Swirl is doing so well! At AWS, she would only let my son pet her, and it just makes sense that she was for his birthday. Now, she will never come out of his room unless you take her out. She has also gained so much weight! We probably will have to put her on a diet, but she’s doing just fine right now. She has also came out and been more open to the rest of us, but she still immediately purrs when my son pets her, but you may have to wait hours for her to purr with…
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Willow now Fannie Fae, a.k.a. Patty Cakes
We adopted Fae a little over a year ago. She is so happy in her new home ❤️. She loves us, and she has really warmed up to her puggle brother, Chance. She is a professional biscuit maker; sometimes sessions last up to 20 mins. We love her! Thank you so much ❤️
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Instacart now Binx
I fell in love with this little shy kitten over a photo. When I got to meet her, I fell even more in love. It was saddening to hear that she was antisocial and that her ear was clipped, as she had the potential to be a barn cat, not a house pet. When I brought her home 2 days ago, she hid and did not want to be touched. Now, 2 days later, she follows me around the house and is attached to my hip. I am so happy to be given the trust and love from her ❤️…
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Willowpelt and Tigerstar now Luis and Phinn
Luis and Phinn previously Willowpelt and Tigerstar were adopted from AWS in July of 2023. We went in planning to adopt just one kitten but fell in love with both. They love the cuddle with each other, but also with our dogs! It took a little bit to figure out who is who, but now their own personalities shine and it couldn’t be easier. They’re the perfect addition to our family!
Values That Guide Our Work
Community Focused
At AWS we believe healthy people and pets are essential for healthy communities. We strengthen our community by providing pets and people with resources to thrive.
Compassion
We meet people and pets where they are without preconditions or judgement.
Collaboration
At AWS we work together to promote the human-animal bond. We prioritize teamwork and partnerships in all that we do. We are stronger together.
Inclusion and Equity
Diverse voices make us stronger. We are committed to upholding the dignity of all people.
Accountability
At AWS we take ownership for our actions and decisions. We commit to evaluating results and continuous improvement.