Our in-house, low-income Spay/Neuter Clinic opened in May 2011. In just five short months, the clinic has done surgeries on 611 cats owned by the low income public, all for just $40 each and provided the cats with a free health exam.

The Shelter Spay/Neuter Clinic has also performed surgeries on 395 shelter animals including dogs, cats and rabbits. All of this work was done by Shelter Clinic veterinarian, Dr. Steve Askin VMD, veterinary technician Stephanie Formato and a dedicated team of AWS volunteers who do everything from intake paperwork to sterilizing surgical tools, to cleaning cat carriers and comforting pre- and post-op animals.  

On Sunday, October 16^th the Shelter Clinic and the AWS teamed up with Community Animal Watch (CAW) and OOB 365 to conduct a special spay/neuter clinic for residents of the Town of Old Orchard Beach.  

Pick up was at the Ballpark from 8:00 to 9:30am, and AWS volunteer Barry H. transported the 24 cats to the Shelter Spay/Neuter Clinic where they were spayed or neutered. Barry returned the cats to their grateful owners later in the day.  

The Shelter Clinic and the AWS plan on conducting additional clinics with OOB and other area towns. It is our hope that the outreach clinics will help more people get their cats spayed or neutered before next spring's Kitten Season.  

For more information or to book an appointment at the Shelter Clinic please call 207-985-3244.

Behind the Scenes Charity of Sanford, lead by Scott Kearney and Gloria Berry, doubled the amount raised at their annual Haunted Walk at AWS!    

Like all of our major fundraisers, this event started as an idea that has blossomed into a family "FUN"draiser to benefit the 3,600 animals that rely on care from AWS every year.    

In 2008, Scott and Gloria had held their second Haunted Walk through Holdsworth Park in Springvale to benefit area charities. When they brought a donation to the AWS an employee recommended that they hold a walk here.  

Well, that got them thinking.  

On a summer day in 2009 after they had walked the dog walking paths at the shelter, they knew they had found the new home for their walk. They came into the AWS lobby and asked who they could speak to about doing an event.   

They proceeded to tell the shelter management that they had ALL of the equipment and A LOT of friends who would help them put together a Halloween walk.      

Now remember, it's the middle of the summer and most adults don't think about Halloween until mid-October. BUT Gloria and Scott are NOT most adults! You see, Gloria's birthday is October 31st and Scott is her best friend. They and their friends take this holiday very seriously.  

If you haven't been to the Behind the Scenes Haunted Walk yet, you are missing out! It is a perfect way to celebrate Fall (and Gloria's Birthday!) This year there were 22 volunteer "Spookers" haunting the woods, ready to scare. Nearly 300 community residents came out for the event!  

Who knows what to expect next year! Mark your calendar for October 13, 2012!

It's been a record year at the Animal Welfare Society for dog adoptions! In September alone 128 dogs were either reclaimed by their owners or adopted into new families!   

And, already this year, AWS staff and volunteers have cared for 917 stray or unwanted dogs.   

We know that a lot of people look at our website regularly but once a dog has been available for a few weeks we worry that they aren't really looking at them any more.   

Here are our residents who have been on the website for 3 or more weeks. If you are looking for a new family member, please give them a chance to "WOW" you!

These precious pooches have a reduced adoption fee of $125.  They come to you spayed or neutered, up to date on shots, with a collar, a tag, a free Health Exam at a participating veterinarian, more than $200 in PetSmart coupons and a discount coupon for an AWS Obedience class!

Trivia Question 1:  

What have 9,726 Mainers Done to Help Animals?

Hint: "Love, Respect, Adopt"

The ADOPT license plates first became available in October of 2009. In just two years 9,726 have been purchased and proudly displayed by Mainers who love animals.

Trivia Question 2: How much does the ADOPT plate cost?

Hint: Not that much! 

The initial purchase price of the plate is just $20.  Re-registration costs $15.

Trivia Question 3:  How does the ADOPT plate help animals?  

Hint:  Animal cruelty and spay/neuter.

Ten dollars from each plate (including re-registrations) goes to the State of Maine's Animal Welfare Program (AWP). The AWP spends half of this, or $5.00 from each plate, to investigate animal cruelty. The AWP places the other half into the Help Fix ME Program; a program that helps low-income Mainer's spay/neuter their cat or pit bull.  

Trivia Question 4: Which organizations were instrumental in making the ADOPT license plate a reality?

Hint: If you are reading this, you probably know one of them!

The Animal Welfare Society was one of the organizations that helped make the plate a reality. The AWS was part of the Maine Animal Leadership Team (MALT), led by Planet Dog, which collected the required pre-payment of $50,000 from 2,000 Mainers. This money was collected in just three short months (a record according the Department of Motor Vehicles!). The AWS then assisted in taking the money to the legislature and convincing the lawmakers that Mainers are serious about protecting companion animals and they and they wanted a plate to prove it! 

Trivia Question 4: How much money has been generated for animal welfare so far?

Hint:  A lot!

In just two years, an additional $160,000 has gone to Maine's companion animals through the license plate! In these tough economic times, when the State's AWP is dealing with a lot of abuse and neglect cases, and when folks just can't afford to spay/neuter their pets, the animal welfare community found a way to raise money for a state program that helps animals!!

Trivia Question 5:  Do you have your plate yet?