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.

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.

Our 2022 Impact

In a year like no other, we supported our pet community’s needs as families faced inflation, economic uncertainty and housing instability while also adjusting our operations to fit the “post-COVID” era. 

2,009

Pets Adopted

20,245

Procedures and Exams

47,495

Volunteers Hours

39,896

Pounds of Food
& Litter Provided

2023 Year in Review

Events & Programs

Join us!

  • Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours

    Join us for the Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours, hosted right here at AWS! There will be great conversation, delicious food, drinks, open retail shop, and more! There will […]

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  • Furry Tales Story Time @ McArthur Library: Apr 26 @ 10:30 am

    Furry Tales Story Time combines pets, literacy and fun! Toddlers, preschoolers and their families explore the exciting world of animals with stories, playtime, crafts, songs, movement and plenty of time […]

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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!

  • Microchipping 101

    Microchipping 101

    You’ve probably heard of getting your pet microchipped. But what exactly does this mean? We’re here to break down the ins and outs of microchipping for pets and why it’s […]

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  • How to Tame Alert Barking

    How to Tame Alert Barking

    We all get excited when we hear the delivery truck pull up to the curb. But do you have a dog who gets a little too excited? Is there a […]

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  • Why Fridays are Special

    Why Fridays are Special

    Miss Amanda, as our Youth Programs Coordinator here at AWS, has always loved Fridays. Not because it’s the last day of the work week or because she gets to head […]

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  • Double the Love

    Double the Love

    On our last Featured Pet blog we talked about why spring is the perfect time to adopt a dog. What about cats? As it turns out, we currently have three […]

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Values That Guide Our Work

Follow Us!

@aws.maine

𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑾𝒆𝒆𝒌 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑼𝒔! 

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬
Working with both children and pets takes a special and compassionate person, and that’s exactly how we would describe our Youth Programs volunteers! Alongside our Youth Programs Coordinator, volunteers help children visiting with AWS both inside and outside the classroom with fun games, tasks, education and, of course, animals. With programs like Rescue Readers, Furry Tales, and After School Club, there’s a lot to do around here regarding humane education! We’re grateful for the hard work and dedication of our Youth Programs volunteers who assist in teaching compassion, kindness, and care for all creatures!
You’ve probably heard of getting your pet microchipped. But what exactly does this mean? We’re here to break down the ins and outs of microchipping for pets and why it’s so important! Check out our newest blog post online and don't forget about our upcoming FREE microchip and rabies vaccine clinic this Sunday, April 21 at Waggerstown Pet Supply Store in Wells, ME!