Pets & 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.

Pets and Families Thriving Together

Animal Welfare Society (AWS) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit located in Kennebunk, Maine.

Home for the Holidays

Eddie (seen here), Bentley, Daisy, Kimber and the guinea pigs have been with us the longest and we’ve reduced their adoption fees. Let’s get these pets—and all animals in our care—home for the holidays.

Winter Wags Adoption Special

Warm your heart with a new best friend! Visit AWS for our Winter Wags Adoption Special! Running from January 30 through February 8.

Winter Wags Adoption Special

Warm your heart with a new best friend! Visit AWS for our Winter Wags Adoption Special! Running from January 30 through February 8.

Home for the Holidays







Eddie (seen here), Bentley, Daisy, Kimber and the guinea pigs have been with us the longest. Let’s get them home for the holidays!

Home for the Holidays

Warm nights by the fireplace, snow-filled adventures, cozy lap naps, now is the time to adopt your new best friend. Let’s get our residents pets – like River seen here – home for the holidays!

Home for the Holidays

Warm nights by the fireplace, snow-filled adventures, cozy lap naps, now is the time to adopt your new best friend. Let’s get our residents pets home for the holidays!

infograph showing AWS community impact in 2025

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.

Community Events & Appearances

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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!

    • Keeping Your Pets Safe in Cold Temps

      Keeping Your Pets Safe in Cold Temps

      Whether we’re ready for it or not, winter is HERE!  In addition to the snow, it’s cold, Cold, COLD!  Exposure to extreme temperatures, dry air, sleet, snow and much more […]

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    • Why Rats Make Great Companions

      Why Rats Make Great Companions

      Hey everyone, my name is Juicebox and it is so nice to meet you! My friend Fizzlepop and I are a pair of rats looking for a new home, as […]

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    • Austin’s Recipe for Happiness

      Austin’s Recipe for Happiness

      Hey everyone, my name is Austin and it’s so wonderful to meet you all! I am searching for my next adventure with a new family, and am so excited to […]

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    • Foster Young, Active Dogs

      Foster Young, Active Dogs

      If you’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to try fostering a pet, especially young, active dogs (yes, that includes puppies), now is the time! AWS is looking to sign […]

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    • Eddie is AWS’ MVP

      Eddie is AWS’ MVP

      Hello again! It’s your best friend Eddie, and I am so excited to announce that I am the winner of AWS’ Super Bowl LX Most Valuable Pet fundraiser!! While the […]

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    • Hopper’s Weekend Excursions

      Hopper’s Weekend Excursions

      Hey everyone, my name is Hopper and it’s so great to meet you all! I am a resident dog at AWS who can’t want to hop into my new home […]

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    Happy Homes

    Whether you adopted from us, visited our Clinic, took a Canine Training class or utilized the Stay@Home program, we want to hear from you. Share your Happy Homes story with us today.

    • Piper now Trixi

      Piper now Trixi

      Trixi was very fearful and aggressive at first. We took it day by day and seriously considered whether this was the best fit. Thankfully, we allowed her enough time to […]

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    • Sophie

      Sophie has been an incredible cat so far. She is the white cat with calico tail that I adopted the day after Christmas. Sophie is sweet and loves to to cuddle. […]

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    • Romeo now Peppermint Butler

      Romeo now Peppermint Butler

      Peppermint Butler, or “Peppy” for short, has the spunkiest personality! He spends his days running around, begging for attention, and chasing around his older brother Toast. His favorite toy makes […]

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    • Grayson now Nigel

      Grayson now Nigel

      Hi – Just wanted to share an update on Grayson, who I call Nigel. He is settling in nicely after 3 weeks. His felt mouse is still his favorite toy. […]

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    Values That Guide Our Work