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.
08/01/2025
Thank you WGME CBS 13 News, Portland for this story! We are still looking for a few more foster families who can take 50+ lb dogs, especially homes without any other pets. If you're not in the position to adopt, but would like to make a difference in a dog's life for a little while, foster a big dog from AWS!
Foster info ➡ https://animalwelfaresociety.org/volunteer/foster-volunteers/
Animal shelters across Maine are encouraging residents to consider fostering pets as a way to support local shelters.
08/01/2025
Now is the purrrfect time to make your way to AWS to adopt a kitten!
P.S. Our Adoption Center is closing early today at 3 pm, and we’ll be back open tomorrow at 10! We have many kittens waiting to meet you!
07/30/2025
Hey everyone, my name is Daisy and it’s so nice to meet you! I’m a resident pup at AWS waiting to blossom into a new home (see what I did there?). My friends at AWS like to say that I’m a pretty smart cookie because I’ve got a talent for learning tricks! So, for this week’s Pet of the Week, let me tell you all about me and my tricks!
Check out our comments to read Daisy's Pet of the Week blog!
07/29/2025
New puppy parents! Time for Puppy Kindergarten. AWS Canine Training's next four week Puppy K class starts Wednesday, July 30. Visit our comments for enrollment information. 🐾
(Can't make this class? Another one starts on August 13!)🐾
07/26/2025
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Woofstock this year!
There was endless fun in every zone and adorable pups everywhere - we hope you had as much fun as we did!!!
Be sure to join us for all the fun again next year 🐶
07/26/2025
Today is the day! Join us at Woofstock from 11 am - 3 pm for a day full of fun. Don’t forget to park at our two satellite parking locations and ride the dog-friendly shuttle over (thanks to Kennebunk Savings):
- Kennebunk Savings Operation Center: 7 Alewive Park Road, Kennebunk, ME 04043
- Middle School of the Kennebunks: 60 Thompson Road, Kennebunk, ME 04043
Join us at Woofstock tomorrow!! If you've been following along this week you've seen all of the incredible fun we'll be having. And, there's even more we haven't shared yet: From dog agility, to a DOG PARADE with prizes, lawn games, chill stations (for pets and people), and having fun in the community, Woofstock has so much to offer!
What are you most excited to see at Woofstock? Let us know in the comments! 🐾
07/24/2025
Check out the incredible local veterinary & pet services vendors coming to Woofstock!!
Tell us who your pup is most excited to visit in the comments!
07/23/2025
Shop ‘till you drop! Goodies for people & pets from the incredible vendors at Woofstock 🐾
Check out our comments to see the list of vendors joining us this Saturday for Woofstock (and let us know who you & your pup are going to visit!) ⬇⬇⬇
07/22/2025
Get ready to jam out with our amazing live music performances!
Joining us for the first time at Woofstock is June and the Honey Badgers taking the stage from 11 am - 1 pm.
Returning to Woofstock is Kris Hype Music playing from 1 pm - 3pm!
Both acts graciously donate their time and talent performing at Woofstock. Please support these musicians by visiting their websites or social media pages and checking out their next show.
You can learn more about them in the comments below (and let us know what song you want to hear!) ⬇⬇⬇
07/22/2025
Hey everybody, my name is Maggie. It’s so great to meet you! I can’t believe that Woofstock THIS week. I’m grateful to be chosen as this week’s Groovy Pet of the Week to share how excited I am for Woofstock, and how I’d be the perfect pup to join you in attending! So, let’s get groovy and join Maggie (me!) at Woofstock!!
Check our comments to read Maggie's latest Groovy Pet of the Week blog! ⬇
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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.
