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.
Pets and Families Thriving Together
Animal Welfare Society (AWS) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit located in Kennebunk, Maine.
Home for the Holidays
Eddie (seen here), Bentley, Daisy, Kimber and the guinea pigs have been with us the longest and we’ve reduced their adoption fees. Let’s get these pets—and all animals in our care—home for the holidays.
Winter Wags Adoption Special
Warm your heart with a new best friend! Visit AWS for our Winter Wags Adoption Special! Running from January 30 through February 8.
Winter Wags Adoption Special
Warm your heart with a new best friend! Visit AWS for our Winter Wags Adoption Special! Running from January 30 through February 8.
Home for the Holidays
Eddie (seen here), Bentley, Daisy, Kimber and the guinea pigs have been with us the longest. Let’s get them home for the holidays!
Home for the Holidays
Warm nights by the fireplace, snow-filled adventures, cozy lap naps, now is the time to adopt your new best friend. Let’s get our residents pets – like River seen here – home for the holidays!
Home for the Holidays
Warm nights by the fireplace, snow-filled adventures, cozy lap naps, now is the time to adopt your new best friend. Let’s get our residents pets home for the holidays!
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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Nabisco’s Love is Worth Earning
Some cats wear their hearts on their sleeves. Mine takes a little longer to find its way out, but I promise it’s worth the wait. Hi, I’m Nabisco, and I’m the kind of cat who likes to get to know people on my own timeline. New places and unfamiliar faces…
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Thurgood Wants to Join You at Woofstock
I haven’t been at AWS for very long, but I’ve already heard all about the biggest event of the summer: Woofstock! Hi, I’m Thurgood, and I hope you’ll bring me home this week in time to attend this year’s event. From what everyone tells me, it’s a day full of…
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Jane is Looking for a Canine Companion
Some dogs are ready to take on the world all by themselves. Me? I do my best work with a canine companion by my side. Hi, I’m Jane, and I may be a little shy when we first meet, I just need a little help finding my brave. With a…
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Life is Better with Chonk
I’m not saying your life is incomplete without me, but let’s not ignore the obvious. Hi, I’m Chonk! I’m a friendly, social cat who loves being around people and making every day a little cozier. Whether I’m asking for pets, purring away beside you, or curling up for a well-earned…
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Apollo Wants a Spot by Your Side
There’s nothing I enjoy more than being close to my people and enjoying the simple things in life. Hi, I’m Apollo, and I’m a sweet, loyal guy who’s happiest when I have someone to share it all with. From fresh air, a good walk or a cozy place to relax…
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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Chester now Petey
I met my best buddy seven years ago. Petey (“Chester” at the time) was the last dog at AWS while a renovation was going on, but he was one I instantly wanted to adopt. A three-legged dog who never let that fact slow him down, my mom often called him PDQ: “Pretty Darn Quick for a three-legged dog”. He wasn’t just a speed demon, though. We went for many walks over the years (especially during the pandemic when nothing was open and all we had WERE walks), but he was always content to sit with me, my wife, and our…
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Anna
Anna meowed most of ride home. It was almost an hour. I adopted her July 21, 2026. I was afraid she would hide and have a long adjustment. NO, she started to explore the house right after coming out of the kitty carrier. She is very affectionate and is a love bug. She watches the birds and chipmunks from the windows. Two days here and it’s like she has lived here her whole life. Very good move on my part.
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Holly
We adopted Holly when she was 12-1/2. She had been in the shelter for only a week. She had been one of eight dogs, was deaf from lifelong untreated ear infections, was severely matted, and needed 13 teeth extracted. My husband and I are in our 70s and desperately wanted a dog but feared adopting one with high energy needs. Holly was perfect for us and we determined to give her her best life for however long she lived. She turned 15 on July 5th and we couldn’t have asked for a better dog to share life with. She is…
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Charlie now Leo
Throughout my life, I have known so many cats. But I have never met a cat like Leo. He is the goofiest most entertaining cat- he has everyone in the house giggling throughout the day. Leo has decided my oldest daughter is his person. He’s loving towards all of us, but he will follow my oldest daughter around the house and she enjoys every moment of it. Leo lays with his legs sprawled out awkwardly on the floor. He sits like a human sometimes. He will hang off a furniture and make it look comfortable- when we all know it’s…
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.