AWS News & Updates

Become a Loyal Friend with a Monthly Gift
Animals in our community need help every day — whether it’s a safe place to stay, veterinary care or help finding a new home, you can help them by becoming a monthly donor to Animal Welfare Society. Our recurring donors…

Why Canine Good Citizen Training Is Good for You and Your Dog
If you’re looking for the right class to strengthen your bond with your dog, as well as learn important everyday manners and skills, then Canine Good Citizen Prep at AWS is the right class for you! The foundational class builds…

Clinic Hosts HQHVSN Workshop
On July 21, AWS’ Community Veterinary Clinic hosted a hands-on spay/neuter workshop to train veterinary professionals in safe and efficient surgery techniques, known as high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (known in the industry as HQHVSN). AWS’ own Kate Gollon, DVM and Jaime…

Where to Train Your Dog in Southern Maine
There’s lots of things to consider when searching for a place to train your dog: methods, preferences (both yours and your pups), schedule, cost, location and so much more. However, training is tremendously beneficial for dogs and their families. No…

All About Woofstock
Get the details here! Learn all about Woofstock, Southern Maine’s family-friendly, dog-friendly food and beer festival. Join us Saturday, July 26 from 11 am to 3 pm for Woofstock, a day of beer, food, dogs and FUN!! Thanks to the…

Celebrate National Food Truck Day with Woofstock Food Trucks!
So you’ve gone through the beer garden at Woofstock and now you’re looking for a bite to eat – guess what? You’re in luck! We have a spectacular variety in the food truck lineup! From your classic meals to pasta…

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 influx of animals and many well-deserved vacations for our year-round…

What’s it like being an AWS ACT?
First off, what is an ACT? It’s an Animal Care Technician, the folks who provide daily care to the pets in our shelter. And we are looking for more to join our team! Are you someone who’s looking to make…

Thank you Abigail!
With delicious tacos and trips down memory lane, today at lunch we said farewell to our dear boss lady. Abigail, thank you for the amazing things AWS accomplished under your leadership the past ten years. Remember your time in Maine…

Summer of Fun at AWS: Fostering Flowers
This summer at AWS is all about having fun with our community. Take part in AWS’ summer of fun by fostering flowers, fostering pets and fostering fun! Foster Flower Beds We’re opening our campus’ beautiful flower beds to local businesses…

Celebrate American Craft Beer Week with Woofstock Breweries!
It’s American Craft Beer Week and we’re here to remind you that Woofstock is a great opportunity to try some of Maine’s best craft beers! Whether you are into IPAs, lagers, ciders or seltzers – Woofstock has something to offer…

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 AWS’ Executive Director, effective May 30, 2025. She will be…

Welcome to the Team
AWS Announces New Hires With recent hiring, we have added three new members to our management team. Please welcome Allie McCarthy, Cam Raymond and Astrid Wielens. The three new hires are seen here pose with a litter of puppies (who…

Celebrating 2025 Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week
This week is Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week! We’re highlighting the work animal control officers (ACOs) do in our community, looking after stray, homeless, lost or found pets and helping pet owners care for their animals. ACOs are a valuable…

Shamrock & Clover Share Their Bond on National Siblings Day
Today is National Siblings Day, and here at AWS we wanted to celebrate the special bond between two of the fluffiest siblings we know: Shamrock & Clover. These inseparable boys are quite the dynamic duo. They are fun, loving and…

Hiring for Animal Care Technician
Do you love animals? Do you love working with good people who love animals? So do we! In fact, every day, AWS staff have fun and make a difference in the lives of countless animals. We may have career opportunities…

Our Veterinary Clinic Answers WHY
Why get a microchip? What is a microchip? Microchips are small devices, about the size of a grain of rice, that a veterinarian inserts under the pet’s skin near their shoulder blades. So why are they important? It contains the…

Spay or Neuter Your Pet at AWS!
Did you know AWS’ Community Veterinary Clinic offers spay/neuter surgeries 5 days a week! And it’s not just for the pets in our shelter – we accept patients from our community. And we’d like to offer our affordable and accessible…
