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 pets through adoptions, affordable services and resources, so pets and their families can stay together and thrive.

Community Events & Appearances

Join us!

  • Woofstock: Dog-Friendly, Family Friendly Food & Beer Festival

    Woofstock is the FREE family-friendly, dog-friendly, beer and food festival held rain or shine on the last Saturday in July each year on the grounds of Animal Welfare Society, 46 Holland […]

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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 While Having Fun This Summer

    Keeping Your Pets Safe While Having Fun This Summer

    Summer is a great time to get outside with your dog — whether you’re heading to the beach, walking local trails, visiting a dog-friendly patio or planning a weekend adventure.

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  • Odette’s Looking for a Best Friend

    Odette’s Looking for a Best Friend

    Being a best friend is kind of my specialty, so National Best Friends Day feels like the perfect time to introduce myself. I’m Odette and I’m more interested in finding

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  • Understanding Boundaries with Coco

    Understanding Boundaries with Coco

    Some people say I’m independent, others say I’m particular. I prefer to think of myself as a cat who knows what she likes. I’m Coco, an adoptable cat at AWS

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  • Champ and Jingles: Two Peas in a Pod

    Champ and Jingles: Two Peas in a Pod

    What’s better than having one new best friend? Having two! My name is Champ, and I’m hoping to go home with my best friend, Jingles. We’re a bonded pair who

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  • Why Adopt a Senior Cat?

    Why Adopt a Senior Cat?

    Hi all, my name is Little Kitty. You may hear the words “senior cat” and think of a cat who will sleep all day in a rocking chair somewhere. That’s

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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.

  • Honey

    Honey

    We adopted Honey at the end of May. She’s been awesome, loves car rides and playing at the dog park. She likes to relax and go on walks. We love

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  • Fred, Emile and Remi

    Fred, Emile and Remi

    I got the three boys because they are bonded together and I didn’t want to separate them. So I took them all home. They are doing so good and they

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  • Saffron

    Saffron

    Saffron is a five-year old mackerel tabby American shorthair. We found her cute face with a prominent furry M above her nose very charming. She was listed as a “barn

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  • Mortica now Merrill

    Mortica now Merrill

    We are obssesed with this spicy girl! She is so loving mixed with a big personality. First few hours with her and she was cuddling with me while I napped.

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Values That Guide Our Work