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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Denali now Georgia
Six years ago my husband and I adopted the most beautiful girl. At the time her name was Denali and she was four months old. She was timid and shy […]
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Bella now Evening
When I adopted Evening in 2021, she was an unfriendly and fearful cat. Now, she is loving and trusting! She always purrs and often follows me from room to room. […]
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Myla and Paisley
I adopted both Myla and Paisley during my time living in Maine for college and they are the best girls! We now live in Florida with two more dogs added […]
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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Hit the Road with Jake
Hi everyone, I’m Jake and it’s so nice to meet you!! When I first got to AWS, I wasn’t feeling well and I was very skinny. My amazing friends here […]
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The Three Types of Dog Walks
Learning how to walk on and off leash can be very challenging for our dogs and frustrating for both parties! Walks are one of the enjoyable ways to share and […]
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Summer of Fun at AWS: Foster a Pet
Foster a pet this summer! We are looking to add 25 new foster homes to our AWS family by July 4! Why foster a pet this summer? Summer brings an […]
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Breakfast with Gerbils
Meet the Breakfast Gerbils These twelve lil gerbils are available for adoption at AWS. We have 7 females and 5 males. They are paired off in bonded, same-sex duos or […]