Animal Welfare Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY EXISTS TO SERVE AS THE SAFETY NET FOR LOST AND HOMELESS PETS AND TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE SERVICES AND RESOURCES NECESSARY FOR LONG TERM WELL-BEING, SO PETS AND THEIR FAMILIES STAY TOGETHER AND THRIVE.
- Income
- $5.4 million
- Spending
- $4.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 49%
- Employees
- 61
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $189,037, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $3.4 million spent. FOUNDED IN 1967, ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY (AWS) IS A PRIVATE 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN KENNEBUNK, MAINE. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SHELTER, VETERINARY CARE, TRAINING 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 SERVES 18 MUNICIPALITIES IN YORK COUNTY AS THE ANIMAL CONTROL IMPOUND FACILITY FOR LOST AND ABANDONED PETS. AWS WORKS WITH RESCUE GROUPS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY TO BRING COMPANION ANIMALS TO MAINE FOR ADOPTION. AWS SUITE OF LIFESAVING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP KEEP PETS AND THEIR PEOPLE TOGETHER BY PROVIDING SUPPORT AND RESOURCES INCLUDING TEMPORARY BOARDING, PET FOOD, SUPPLIES, VETERINARY CARE AND ASSISTANCE WITH BEHAVIOR CONCERNS. ADDITIONALLY, AWS WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH FUNDING PARTNERS AND VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS TO DELIVER ACCESSIBLE SPAY/NEUTER AND WELLNESS SERVICES STATEWIDE, ESPECIALLY IN REMOTE, UNDERSERVED AREAS OF MAINE. AWS ADOPTION CENTER, COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING SERVICES ARE SUPPORTED BY A COMPASSIONATE AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND A TEAM OF 200+ DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS AND FOSTER FAMILIES. AWS IS ABLE TO FULFILL ITS MISSION THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTE THROUGH FINANCIAL GIFTS, INKIND SUPPORT AND BEQUESTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1969.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.