Upcoming AWS Youth Humane Education
workshops and events:
 Monday - Thursday, April 16 - April 19
AWS School Vacation Day Workshops
for students aged 7-11 at the shelter.
These hands-on workshops focus on animal care and handling, as well as animal welfare-related issues. Students will have the opportunity to interact with a variety of pets, play games and make crafts.
Registration is limited! Sign up today!
Download a registration form.
Saturday, April 21
Visit the AWS Humane Educator
and a pet at the Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine on Free Street in Portland for a program on animal care and handling from 10:30 -11:30am.
You have until Saturday, May 12th
to get your friends, club or scout troop to compete in the Project Kitten Challenge by collecting kitten supplies to bring to the AWS Kitten Shower!
AWS expects more than 1,000 kittens to come to the shelter in the next 9 months. They will all need food, shelter, medicine and love. Donations of Kitten Milk Replacement (KMR), dry and canned kitten food, cat litter, copy paper, bleach and toys are needed as we prepare for their arrival. The group collecting the most supplies (by weight) will receive a pizza party & behind the scenes tour of the shelter!
The Kitten Shower is a festive event with a huge raffle, bake sale, crafts for kids, and the ever popular Photo Contest! Bring in your best cat or kitten photo by May 7th to enter the contest! (photos will not be returned)
Saturday,
June 30th
AWS will be hosting an
AWSome Carnival!
This carnival will be fun for grown-ups and children alike with many prizes to win, including discounts on adoption!!
Enjoy games, carnival treats, face-painting, a bounce house and more! Come play with us on the AWS grounds at the end of Holland Road in West Kennebunk from 11 to 3 pm (weather permitting).
Weekly Summer Workshops in July and August
Monday - Thursday,
9am - 3pm.
Junior Workshops
(7 - 9 years old) begin Monday, July 9, July 16, and July 23.
Senior Workshops
(10 -13 years old) begin Monday, July 30, August 6, and August 13.
These fun, hands-on workshops include field trips and focus on animal care and handling, as well as animal welfare-related issues. The students have the opportunity to interact with a variety of pets, play games & make crafts. Campers receive an AWS t-shirt, certificate of completion, a photo with an animal and a lesson in compassion.
Registration is limited!
Download a registration form.
For more information about any of our children's programs, contact Lona, the AWS Humane Educator, by phone 207-985-3244 x 109 or email.
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AWS Events, save the date: Thursday, April 3 Michele Lowry of Nikoe Natural Therapies presents "Introduction to Reiki for Pets" Workshop at the AWS Boston House (located at the end of Holland Road, to the right of the Community Gardens) from 6 - 8pm. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Call 207-289-0009 for more information. $25 fee, a portion of which benefits AWS. Saturday, April 7 The Animal Welfare Society Mobile Adoption Team visits Pet Quarters on Payne Road in Scarborough with adoptable dogs and bunnies from 11 - 1.  Saturday & Sunday, April 14 & 15
Patriots Day Celebration in Ogunquit, visit the AWS Crafters under the tent in the Main Parking Lot at the Ogunquit Beach on Saturday 9am-4pm and Sunday 9am-3pm. On Sunday from noon - 3pm join the fun in the Angelina's Ristorante Parking Lot for the "Patriotic Pooch Fashion Show." Prizes will be awarded! Weather Permitting. Saturday, May 19 The Yard Sale of Yard Sales! Longtime AWS volunteer, Sue Flynn, spends all year collecting items for this sale to benefit the shelter at 6 Hearthstone Drive, Kennebunk, 8am - 2pm, no early birds please!
Sunday, June 3 Annual AWS Art Auction at the Nonantum Resort, Ocean Avenue, Kennebunkport. Viewing and artist reception begins at 3pm. Spend time talking with the artists who have donated their work. Live auction at 5pm. 
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door and include two complimentary glasses of wine & hot and cold appetizers. Support the shelter and expand your collection. More than 50 local artists are contributing. Saturday & Sunday, August 4 & 5 Annual Antique Show at Kennebunk High School Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 10-4. The AWS thanks Goosefare Antiques for allowing us to have a booth at the show and for the generous donation from a portion of the admissions revenue. Donations of quality collectibles and antiques are needed for the AWS table. Contact Gail at 207-985-3244 x 117 to arrange drop off or pick up. Please, no furniture.
Sunday, September 9  Strut Your Mutt Walk at Mother's Beach, Kennebunk.
Walkers Wanted! This scenic walk on the three Kennebunk Beaches raises money for the AWS Sadie Fund, a medical fund for animals in need. New for 2012! Junior Strut! 
Young people are encouraged to walk with friends and family, clubs or scout groups. Bring along a favorite furry friend, or a stuffed animal mascot. Enjoy face painting, games and family fun. Every child finishing the walk will receive a medal. Registration begins at
10:00am and the walk starts at 11:00am.
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PUPPIES!
Every month the Animal Welfare Society partners with over crowded shelters in the South and Mid-West to save the lives of dogs and puppies. During the month of April, watch our website because the puppies that are currently participating in our Paws in Stripes program at the Maine Correctional Center will be available, as will more than 20 adoptable dogs from our partner shelters. |
Pets and Women to Safety
Since 2001 the Animal Welfare Society and Caring Unlimited, York County's Domestic Violence Program, have worked together to keep victims of domestic violence and their pets together. In that time, we have helped 105 people and their pets leave abusive homes.
Often, when a person decides to leave an abusive situation they do not have an immediate plan for their pet or pets.
Through the program, AWS provides medical and foster care for their pets for up to 30 days while the victim makes a life plan and finds safe housing. This service is vital to the well-being of the person and of the pets.
Consider these statistics courtesy of the SPCA and the America Humane Association:
98% of Americans consider pets to be companions or members of the family.
A survey of pet-owning families with substantiated physical child abuse found that animals were also abused in 88% of these homes. 71% of pet-owning women entering women's shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims. And the reason that the Animal Welfare Society PAWS Foster program is so important: Between 25% and 40% of battered women are unable to escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pets or livestock should they leave. 28% percent of women reported they would have left their abusive relationship earlier if they had not had a pet or animal. The length of time they stayed ranged from one week to 22 years with an average of two years. Please help us to continue this life-saving program by making a donation today. |
Kids today...
Are awesome!
Check out these
AWS heroes!
Mrs. Kimball at Sea Road School in Kennebunk teaches her students about economics. Every year her students start a 'Pencil Business' where they imprint pencils with several different sayings and sell them to other students at the school for 25 cents each. Then, they decide where to donate the money. The past two years the Animal Welfare Society was selected to receive a donation. 
The girls from Girl Scout Troop 407 are a hard working bunch. They held a donation drive for the shelter and ended up collecting supplies, toys, blankets, and many other things we need on a regular basis. Without support like theirs, we couldn't do what we do. Thanks for your donation girls! 
Delaney (standing in back in the pink jacket) is no stranger to the AWS. Every year, for several years now, she's brought donations in to the shelter in lieu of birthday gifts. This year she needed help carrying the many toys, bags of food, and various other supplies she collected. Our thanks for your continued support Delaney! 
Hayden and Chase are brothers who know all about sharing. They were thoughtful enough to bring in a variety of food, toys, and bedding for their animal friends at the shelter. Thank you so much for thinking of the animals. And there are many more heroes who understand that homeless animals need food, toys, medicine and most of all, people like them to care about them. Meet more AWS heroes. |
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Are you a member of AWS? Our members help us provide so much for the animals in our care - medication, food and a professional and loving staff. Become a member today with a gift starting at $25. With your membership, you'll receive our newsletter, invitations to special events and our member decal for your home, office or car!
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