AWS - About Us

Animal Welfare Society, Inc. is an independent, non-profit, non-destroy organization founded in 1965.

Our Mission is to aid and find loving, permanent homes for abandoned, stray, and abused cats and dogs in New Milford, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Roxbury, and Washington, Connecticut.

Each year hundreds of dogs and cats find refuge at our shelter located at 8 Dodd Road in New Milford, Connecticut. Abandoned dogs are rescued from the Regional Canine Facility in New Milford after the mandatory 7-day waiting period. AWS also makes periodic trips to New York City's overpopulated dog pounds and brings their animals to our shelter for placement. Our cats are found abandoned in the area we serve.

From the moment these animals enter the shelter, they are no longer unwanted. Each is a special pet waiting for a caring, responsible, permanent home.

All our residents are provided with the best veterinary care possible in a shelter setting.

Routine care includes:

- Standard distemper combinations

- Rabies innoculations for both dogs and cats

- Preventative worming and treatment for other parasites

- Feline leukemia testing for cats

- Heartworm testing and treatment for dogs

"Saving one pet won't change the world, but, surely, the world will change for that one pet."

All the animals at AWS have been spayed/neutered and vaccinated-- they just need to be adopted into loving homes.

AWS Adoption Procedure

If you are interested in adopting an animal, please contact us in one of the following ways:

1. Telephone the shelter at (860) 354-1350

2. Visit the shelter during adoption hours (Tuesdays 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.)

3. Email us at: animalwelfare.socty@snet.net

Get Assistance From Our Experts

The staff works patiently to ensure each animal's chance for a successful adoption. As caregivers, our staff is well-equipped to advise on an animal's temperament and suitability for children, senior citizens, people with special needs, or homes with other pets. Please contact us for more information or drop by the shelter during adoption hours and discuss your needs with a member of our staff.

Adoption Applications

When you arrive at the shelter, you will need to complete an adoption application. Please note that applications must be filled out in person and cannot be emailed or faxed. All adoptions are subject to review.

Spay and Neuter

All animals adopted from AWS are spayed or neutered. In the case of very young kittens or puppies, a spay/neuter contract is required before adoption.

Adoption Fees

A donation of the following amount is requested at the time of adoption:

Cats $100 Kittens $125

Dogs $150 Puppies $200

For more detailed information on adoption procedures and to meet some of the animals available for adoption, please visit our Adopt a Pet section.

Animal Welfare Society, Inc.

8 Dodd Road

New Milford, CT 06776

(860) 354-1350

* Thinking about adopting a new pet? Take the test and see if you're ready! *

AWS Adoption Hours:

Tuesday : 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Wednesday through

Saturday from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Monday - By appointment only

Sunday - By appointment only

Spay / Neuter

Each year millions of cats and dogs are euthanized in pounds and shelters across the country because there are not enough homes for them. Many more die on the street a horrible death - alone.

For example, just one unspayed cat can result in over 11 million cats in 9 years.

Please be kind to your pet and have them spayed and neutered. If everyone did, the need for all shelters would lessen and every animal would have a home. This is the ultimate goal of all animal shelters.