Animal Welfare Society, Inc.

About Us

Animal Welfare Society (AWS) — a private 501(c)(3) non-profit humane society located in Kennebunk, Maine — provides shelter, veterinary care, education and resources to more than 10,000 pets and community members annually.

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 and Paws Across America. AWS’ services to the greater community include Stay@Home, 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 – in the AWS Adoption Center. The AWS Community Veterinary Clinic provides 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.