AWS provides humane shelter, veterinary care, education and resources to pets and community members.
The 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 wellbeing so pets and their families stay together and thrive. To achieve this mission, AWS operates a progressive animal shelter and adoption center on a 40 acre campus in Kennebunk and satellite adoption centers throughout nort
hern New England. AWS’ life-saving community programs include Pets and Survivors to Safety, Paws in Stripes and Paws Across America. AWS’ services to the greater community include Youth Programs, Behavior and Training classes, spay/neuter assistance through the Cleo Fund, veterinary and wellness care at the AWS Community Veterinary Clinic and community resources through Stay@Home. AWS serves as the animal control impound facility for 21 municipalities in York County, providing safety and shelter to lost and abandoned pets. Annually, more than 4,000 animals receive care – and find new homes – at AWS. The AWS Community Veterinary Clinic provided wellness services, including surgeries, examinations and vaccinations to nearly 8,500 pets of community members, in addition to AWS resident pets. Stay@Home provides resources to families and pets, including pet food, low-cost or complimentary veterinary care, temporary boarding and supplies, in an effort to keep pets and families together during times of financial hardship. Additional community programs, such as Humane Education and Canine Training bring education, training and lessons to countless community members of all ages each year. AWS’ operations, adoption center, programs and services are supported by a staff of more than 35 full- and part-time employees and a team of more than 150 dedicated volunteers. Volunteers donate more than 36,000 hours of their time annually in the Adoption Center, in the Veterinary Clinic and in their own homes as foster families. We are able to fulfill our mission through the generosity of those who contribute through financial gifts, in-kind support and bequests. These funds go directly toward the care of the animals at the shelter and to programs that benefit the people and animals in our communities.
11/25/2024
It was a good day to be Arlo! 🧡 He had lots of visitors which meant lots of belly rubs and head scratches!
Arlo's one of our newest residents and one of the largest. Yup, our buddy weighs in at a little over 25 lbs! So he's looking for a family to love him AND help him stay on his diet. With help, he'll slowly shed the pounds and find his healthier, happier self.
For Animal Shelter Appreciation Week we encouraged you to share your Happy Homes stories with us, and you delivered! We wanted to share some of your stories that stood out to us.
Polly:
"Polly is a wonderful adult shelter bunny who keeps a neat running area except for her designated demolition cardboard spot! Her cardboard demolition keeps her out of trouble. It really works! Her favorite spot is sitting under the plants and hops up on the couch or chair for petting time. Polly spends the day in a 5 foot by 4 foot enclosure when we are not home to keep her safe. We love our Polly and hope she has many years with us ❤️"
Hi everyone, my name is Loui (pictured right) and I’m here with my son Bronx (pictured left). It’s our pleasure to meet you! We are a bonded pair here at AWS and have a stronger bond than most as father and son (though sometimes we act more like brothers!). With Thanksgiving around the corner, our friends at AWS asked us to share some important tips to have a safe Thanksgiving.
Meet our buddies Loui and Bronx. They are the best! And they are looking for a home together!
11/22/2024
A special thank you to Patriot Subaru for supporting AWS through their 12 Weeks of Giving! Their campaign supports local charities and community non-profits like AWS all year, and we were chosen as their November organization. Thank you for supporting the animals of our community!
11/20/2024
As reported this week, AWS is caring for a number of shih tzus taken in by the state's Animal Welfare Program last month. We are pleased to announce that the dogs are receiving much needed veterinary care at our Community Veterinary Clinic and many will ready for adoption very soon. In the meantime, our amazing foster families have opened up their homes to these dogs, showing them love and compassion, teaching them basic skills on how to be a family pet, and giving them a home-like setting liked they've never experienced.
We have received a lot of inquiries into the shih tzus. We are grateful for the interest, and thank you for your support and well wishes. We ask for patience as we get the dogs ready for the next chapter of their lives. Some have significant medical hurdles to overcome and others simply need a little more time to decompress in their foster homes before they are ready to be adopted. All adoptable pets are posted on our website as soon as they become available. Therefore, we encourage those interested in adopting one of the shih tzus to keep an eye on our website ➡➡ https://animalwelfaresociety.org/adoption/dogs/
As with all our adoptable pets, when you see a dog online that you’d like to meet/adopt, please follow the instructions on how to adopt from AWS. All adoptions at AWS are first come, first served, so we will not be taking a list of names or offer "pre-applications" for any of the shih tzus. ➡➡ https://animalwelfaresociety.org/adoption/how-to-adopt/
Our Adoption Center is open daily (closed Thanksgiving Day) from 10 am - 3:30 pm and we are located in Kennebunk, Maine. Thank you for helping us, and our fellow Maine shelters, to support the state of Maine's Animal Welfare Program when they needed us most. We know these shih tzus have a wonderful future ahead of them!
11/19/2024
Meet Certificate, Associate, Bachelor and Masters. These kittens all majored in cuteness!
For Animal Shelter Appreciation Week we encouraged you to share your Happy Homes stories with us, and you delivered! We wanted to share some of your stories that stood out to us.
Sesame now Chance:
“I adopted Chance in July of 2022. I should say he chose me. He has such a funny personality-he is quite vocal at 5am. Really he is adorable and a complete joy.”
Don’t forget! Animal Welfare Society has been selected to be part of the Kennebunk Supermarkets' Bloomin' 4 Good fundraiser this month. AWS will receive a $1 donation from the purchase of each specially marked bouquets (look for the red circle sticker). Pick up a bouquet for your Thanksgiving table and to help the animals at the same time!
(This is at Kennebunk Hannaford store location only)
11/15/2024
It's Friday and we're channeling Sofia's energy to celebrate!
11/13/2024
Today, World Kindness Day, we want to give a special shout out to our amazing volunteers and foster families. The kindness and love you show our animals each and every day means the world to them – and to us!
Hi everyone. My name is Lady, and I am very glad to meet you! I am a lovable three-year-old German Shepherd who can’t wait to find my new home. When I found out that I was chosen to be the next Pet of the Week by the AWS staff I could not have been happier!
This week is Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly each day to care for hundreds of pets. We couldn’t do what we do without their dedication. We also couldn’t do what we do without the support of our community. As we celebrate Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, we share some of our favorite “happy homes” stories. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
"Three years ago today I adopted BUDDY2, and he has brought so much love and joy! Here he is with his “celebration” cake and a happy face! Thank you to the Staff at AWS for the love and care you give to the shelter pets.
Much love!"
This week is Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly each day to care for hundreds of pets. We couldn’t do what we do without their dedication. We also couldn’t do what we do without the support of our community. As we celebrate Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, we share some of our favorite “happy homes” stories. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
"I went to AWS in search of a bird or two and fell in love with these parakeets! They are such a wonderful addition to our family. Thank you guys for helping me find them 😊"
This week is Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly each day to care for hundreds of pets. We couldn’t do what we do without their dedication. We also couldn’t do what we do without the support of our community. As we celebrate Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, we share some of our favorite “happy homes” stories. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
"Hi there! My partner and I adopted Copper on Friday, August 9 and he’s totally awesome. It was love at first sight! We and he have been enjoying each other immensely. Fortunately, I’m self employed and have been able to take the last week off allowing me to bond with and take Copper on countless adventures in the Bath Maine area. I’m so happy that our paths crossed.
It was so nice and pleasant dealing with you all at Animal Welfare Society. You have a great, well-run facility there. The staff are so friendly and kind.
Thank you so much, keep up the great work!"
Hi everybody. My name is Jag and it is great to meet you! I’ve been here at AWS for over three weeks looking for my new home, and that could be where you come in. It was a delightful surprise to be picked as the Pet of the Week by the AWS staff! You may be wondering what I’m all about, so why don’t I tell you!
Learn more ➡ https://animalwelfaresociety.org/pet-of-the-week/a-new-home-for-jag/
11/04/2024
Thank you Maine Real Estate Co! Your donations will support the care and wellbeing of so many pets here at our Adoption Center and out in our community!
As we wrap up our Paws For A Cause Animal Welfare Society donation drive, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated. Your donations have made an incredible difference, bringing warmth, support, and essential resources to animals in need this winter. Tha...
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The Animal Welfare Society, incorporated in 1967, is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit humane society located in Kennebunk, Maine and is a regional leader in companion animal welfare.
AWS operates a progressive animal shelter and adoption center on a 40 acre campus in Kennebunk and satellite adoption centers throughout northern New England. AWS’ life-saving community programs include Pets and Women to Safety, Paws in Stripes, Pawsitive Changes and Paws Across America. AWS’ services to the greater community include Youth Programs, Behavior and Training classes, spay/neuter assistance through the Cleo Fund and veterinary and wellness care at the AWS Community Veterinary Clinic. AWS serves as the animal control impound facility for 21 municipalities in York County, providing safety and shelter to lost and abandoned pets.
Annually, more than 4,000 animals receive care - and find new homes - at AWS. The AWS Community Veterinary Clinic provided wellness services, including surgeries, examinations and vaccinations to nearly 8,500 pets of community members, in addition to AWS resident pets. The clinic's opening in 2018 increased AWS' capacity to provide medical care by 92%, providing low-cost, quality veterinary care to community members and allowing more pets to remain at home with the people who love them. AWS' community programs - including Humane Education and Canine Training bring education, training and lessons to countless community members of all ages each year. In 51 years, AWS' capacity to help has grown significantly. In 1967, AWS’ first year, about 500 animals were served; today, that number is well over 10,000.
AWS’ operations, adoption center, programs and services are supported by a staff of more than 35 full- and part-time employees and a team of more than 150 dedicated volunteers. Volunteers donate more than 36,000 hours of their time annually in the Adoption Center, in the Veterinary Clinic and in their own homes as foster families.
We are able to fulfill our mission through the generosity of those who contribute through financial gifts, in-kind support and bequests. These funds go directly toward the care of the animals at the shelter and to programs that benefit the people and animals in our communities.
