INDEPENDENT
NONPROFIT
NON-DESTROY

The Animal Welfare Society, Inc. (AWS) was founded in 1965 as an independent, non-profit, non-destroy animal rescue organization.         

AWS originally only served the communities of Bridgewater, Brookfield, New Milford, Roxbury and Washington, CT. Our shelter was built in New Milford in 1991 and renovated and expanded in 2019.         

Our mission is to offer refuge to homeless and abandoned dogs and cats and place them in loving, responsible homes.         

Each year hundreds of animals are rescued by AWS from our local communities, throughout our state and from high-kill facilities outside of Connecticut. Some are turned over to us because their owners have become ill, died or are in a family crisis. Others are found as strays or are abandoned. We partner with our local and state animal control officers on abuse and neglect cases and work with reputable rescue organizations instate and beyond.   From the moment they enter our shelter, these animals receive loving care. We provide excellent veterinary services including a complete panel of vaccinations, preventative worming, feline leukemia testing, flea and tick prevention, canine heartworm testing and treatment.  All our cats and dogs are spayed/neutered and microchipped prior to adoption.         

Some animals need more extensive medical treatment which we provide and is additionally supported by a special Emergency Medical Fund.         

Our adult dogs improve their basic manners such as sitting on command and walking well on a leash. We have professional trainers who evaluate each dog and work with those that need extra training. Our cats are mentored by a trained group of volunteers who offer additional attention and interesting experiences.         

We are fully committed to these cats and dogs while they are with us and continue to be available to their families for advice after they are adopted.