The Animal Welfare Society

The Animal Welfare Society exists to provide humane shelter and care to animals temporarily in need of housing, and to further the cause of responsible animal adoption and ownership through education and public awareness. The society actively promotes kindness, the elimination of cruelty and neglect to all animals, and the lifelong commitment of people to their pets.

In addition to core rescue and adoption services, annual community programming includes domestic violence prevention through Pets and Women to Safety (PAWS) program, affordable spay/neuter services to the community, canine obedience classes open to the public and humane education.

The 13,000 square foot facility is located in West Kennebunk, Maine on 31 acres of land. The shelter has the capacity to house more than 400 animals at any given time and regularly adopts out all types of companion animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, mice, birds, rats, ferrets and more. Each year, more than 3,200 animals are cared for at the shelter. A dedicated staff of 30 full- and part-time employees and more than 200 volunteers maintain the daily operation.