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.
08/28/2025
Write your Love Story at AWS this weekend during our Labor Day Weekend Adoption Promotion!
- 25% off adoption fees for cats and puppies
- 50% off adoption fees for adolescent and adult dogs
- 100% off adoption fees for rabbits and small animals (excluding chinchillas)
The promotion runs from Thursday, August 28 through Sunday, August 31 during Adoption Center hours.
Full details about the Labor Day Weekend Adoption Promotion can be found in the comments below 🐶🐱
08/27/2025
This Labor Day Weekend, adopt and save at AWS 🐾❤ The Adoption Center is full, full, full so we're wrapping up our Summer of Love with a special Labor Day Weekend Adoption Promotion:
- 25% off adoption fees for cats and puppies
- 50% off adoption fees for adolescent and adult dogs
- 100% off adoption fees for rabbits and small animals (excluding chinchillas)
The promotion runs from Thursday, August 28 through Sunday, August 31 during Adoption Center hours.
Full details about the Labor Day Weekend Adoption Promotion can be found in the comments below 🐶🐱
08/26/2025
These adorable little sunflowers want to let you know that the Adoption Center will be closed tomorrow, August 27th.
Don't worry, these little tails will keep wagging as the Adoption Center staff prepares for an extra special promotion this weekend!
More details coming 👀 (check back tomorrow)
08/26/2025
Today is International Dog Day, a time to celebrate your beloved fluffy best friend and your special bond together. It’s also a time to celebrate the pups who are still waiting to find their homes, like the four you’ll hear from in this week's Pets of the Week! Around the world people honor their canine companions today, and we’re joining the fun by spotlighting four incredible dogs here at AWS. Each one has a unique personality, but they all share one thing in common: they’re ready to share their big hearts with their new family!
Learn more about Bentley, Eddie, Papa King and Tip in our comments below! 🐶
08/21/2025
UPDATE: Little Cutie has been adopted!
For National Senior Citizen Day, we're highlighting our resident senior cat Little Cutie!
At 18 and a half years old, she knows exactly what she's looking for in a future retirement home. With her age, she prefers a more relaxed and laidback environment that fits her easy-going vibe. As seen in the pictures, Little Cutie loves to lounge about in the most comfortable spot she can find! While she’s more of a watcher than a doer, she does enjoy some head scratches and sharing her affection throughout the day.
Learn more about Little Cutie in the comments below 🐱
08/19/2025
Hey everyone - Papa King here, your future best friend! Just a heads up that the Adoption Center will be closing early today at 12:30 pm. Don't worry though, I'll be back tomorrow with my wagging tail ready to meet you!! 🐶
Hey everyone, my name is Perfect Cloud and it’s so great to meet you! I’m a chill, blanket burrito loving cat who is looking to find my new home!! Thankfully, I’m living it up at the Glitter Box, a cozy cat café and lounge in Portland as part of Meowy Jane while I wait. For this week’s Pet of the Week, let me tell you all about myself and how much fun I am having at The Glitter Box!!
Check out Perfect Cloud's Pet of the Week in the comments 🐱
08/18/2025
Recall, or having your dog come when called, is a useful skill to teach your dog to come to you in any situation. If your dog is often off-leash, a reliable recall is important ensure their safety. Even on-leash, a strong recall can reduce stress and help you feel more confident in your connection with your dog.
Learn the Foundations of Teaching Your Dog Recall in the comments below ⬇
08/15/2025
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 are known as Loyal Friends, and for good reason! They are the steady and reliable foundation that allows us to ensure funds are always available to provide for an animal in need. We support the animals in our community 365 days a year, and our Loyal Friends are crucial to helping us give that needed support.
To join our Loyal Friends program, check out the comments below! 🐾
08/13/2025
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 upon what you’ve learned in a basic training (or equivalent obedience/manners group class) and takes it to the next level! Helping your pup learn to be well-behaved while out in the community, this class is a great steppingstone into advanced training classes.
Learn why Canine Good Citizen Prep is Good For You and Your Dog ⬇⬇⬇
08/12/2025
Hey everyone! I’m Ollie. A friendly and fun-loving pup looking to find my new best friend. Of course, everybody wants to have a best friend, so my friends at AWS thought I’d be a great choice for this week’s Pet of the Week to tell you what I want in mine! From endless snuggles, to having a blast outside, I want my best friend to enjoy the same things I like to do.
Check out my blog in the comments to become best friends!! 🐶
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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.
