Do you know the saying, "things happen in threes"? At the Animal Welfare Society small animals have been coming in by fours and sixes!  If you have ever considered bringing home a bird, ferret, mouse, rat, guinea pig or bunny, NOW is a great time!  For more information on the various small animals, click on their photo.  Once you find a pet that tickles your fancy, fill out an adoption application and visit AWS to see if they are a good fit for your home, heart, and lifestyle.

Guinea pigs make wonderful companions. These docile members of the rodent family rarely bite and are known for squeaking with delight when their favorite humans enter the room. Guinea pigs are excellent starter pets for older children who have mastered proper handling techniques.

Domestic rabbits are delightful companion animals. They are inquisitive, intelligent, sociable and affectionate. Well-cared for indoor rabbits can live for 7 to 10 or more years.  There are many varieties of domestic rabbits including the very popular Dutch, droopy eared German lops and furry Cashmeres.

Pet rats are much less fearful than their wild cousins, and when handled gently, they quickly learn to enjoy riding on their human friends' shoulders and napping in their laps. If well cared for, rats typically live 2 1/2 to three years.  Curious, intelligent and always up for some fun, rats can be great pets for kids-but young caretakers should always be supervised by an adult. These animals are not toys, and must be treated with kindness and respect.

Mice are curious, charming pets, and will be active at various times throughout the day. However, they are fragile and should be treated gently, and children caring for them should always be supervised by an adult.

Ferrets have distinctive, engaging personalities and a playful, fastidious nature.  They are very gregarious and are usually happiest in groups of two or more. Ferrets sleep eighteen to twenty hours of the day, waking up several times to eat, check their domain, and tend to other needs. Greatest activity occurs during two periods of about two hours beginning just before sunrise and sunset, when they play tirelessly.

Content courtesy of HSUS, ASPCA and the House Rabbit Association.  As with all pets, potential adopters should find out as much about the species as possible before bringing them home.

Since initiating the creation of the Kennebunk Dog Park which opened in November of 2005, the AWS has been busy supporting additional efforts for parks in Biddeford and Ogunquit. The latest news in all three towns is good: Kennebunk now has a new paved parking lot. The Biddeford Dog Park has a beautiful approved location for their facility at Rotary Park in Biddeford and their dog park committee is actively soliciting funds to install fencing. And, we pleased to advise that the Town of Ogunquit approved a dog park this month and it will be built off Berwick Road near the transfer station. The Ogunquit Dog Park Committee is also seeking initial funding for fencing and other amenities as they work towards their new facility. For information about any of these parks, if you can help with their funding efforts, or if you are interested
in starting a park in your community and would like assistance from
the AWS please call Steve Jacobsen, Executive Director 207-985-3244 X106.

What it is and how you help...

To enrich: To make fuller, more meaningful, or more rewarding.

The Animal Welfare Society offers a variety of enrichment activities to many homeless pets that spend time with us.  We are ramping up our Dog Enrichment program and are in need of the following:

Kongs, Orbies, Buster Cubes, Boomer Balls, Busy Buddies, Twist & Treats, Rawhides, Long Lasting Treats, Small, Soft Training Treats, Peanut Butter, (almost) Empty Peanut Butter Jars, Hot Dogs, Plain Nonfat Yogurt, Plain Lowfat Cream Cheese and Rescue Remedy Herbal Supplement.