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
Founded in 1967, Animal Welfare Society (AWS) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization located in Kennebunk, Maine.
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 resident 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 resident pets 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 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?
Community Events & Appearances
Join us!
2024 Year in Review
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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Iris now Kirby
Our family went in to the Adoption Center to look at a particular dog, but when our Adoption Counselor found out what we needed the new dog for (service animal […]
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Coco now Coco
We adopted Coco when she was six years old. She had a challenging past and was sick with heart worm disease. Despite her early life, she was gentle and loving. […]
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Caprice now Charlie
Here is to a beautiful life! We adopted Charlie from AWS 14.5 years ago when Charlie was just three years old. The rescue group found her wandering the streets of […]
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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AWS Executive Director to Step Down
Dear friends and supporters, On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of Animal Welfare Society, I wanted to share with you that Abigail Smith has announced her resignation as […]
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Take a Bet on Black Jack
Hi everyone, my name is Black Jack and it’s so nice to meet you! I’m here at AWS waiting for my new family to take a bet on me in […]
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Why Guinea Pigs Are Great
Hi everyone, my name is Porky and I’m here with my friends Pumpkin and Ginger. We’re a trio of bonded guinea pigs here at AWS who are just so excited […]
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Mother Daughter Duo
We’re kicking off our Volunteer Spotlight with a mother daughter duo: Meira & Sicily! These two have been volunteering at AWS for nearly a year now. They take on some […]