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Mercy to animals means mercy to mankind.                                     ~ Henry Bergh  

In 1824, organized dog welfare began in Britain, when the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was developed. This Royal organization is still in existence today, finding its way to the United States by 1866. An animal lover by the name of Henry Bergh decided to dedicate his entire life to the interests of what were considered "dumb animals" due to the harsh treatment and life of the carriage horses in New York City.  In response to this treatment, he formed the Association of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) during a time when he was faced with indifference, opposition, and ridicule, with animal welfare considered a waste of time by most of society. His movement developed today into one of the most beneficial organizations for the care of animals.  

It was not long before six states in the United States had developed anticruelty laws for animals and animal humane societies. By 1877, the American Humane Association (AHA) had developed, and by 1954 the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) had formed. Even with these reforms, most animal welfare organizations did not operate shelters at this time nor had animal welfare campaigns which would involve some form of educational programs for the public.   The only animal shelters in the United States were called "municipal animal shelters", used to house soon-to-be euthanized strays around the 1700s. Up until the early 1900s, public opinion stated that any stray cats or dogs were considered public health threats against society instead of an animal welfare problem. At that time, due to a lack of vaccinations, packs of stray dogs had a tendency to carry diseases such as rabies which did not help the situation at all. The ASCPA was the first organization to support any form of animal rescue or animal welfare efforts. By 1869, the Women's SPCA of Pennsylvania had established the first official United States animal shelter in the entire country. By 1894, the ASPCA had taken over full control of sheltering New York City's stray animals.  

It was not until the 1960 and 1970s that animal advocates began developing private shelters. And it was not until this time that strays were beginning to be removed from streets with small attempts for them to be placed in private homes. There began to be less concern over them being a public health risk with more focus over the animals' welfare. Unfortunately, the animals were still given a specific numbers of days to be adopted out before being euthanized, with very little public marketing done to ensure they would have a chance to go to another home.  

When the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) first developed, its goal was to not only shelter the dog but actively make an effort to place them in a good home. Of course, the dogs were still euthanized, but there was more added time from its original entrance to the shelter to its final departure date. They also developed more of an effort to screen prospective pet owners, an effort which is very much a part of today's progressive animal shelters. Lengthy applications and home inspections are required today for PAWS which has very much become a two-fold situation. Advocates feel this extremely rigorous process prevents mistreatment and abandonment, while others feel it gives shelters an adverse image which is influencing donors and the end results of the animal adoptees. From the beginning of animal shelters to today, the rescue and welfare organizations have worked the pendulum where they have went from one extreme to another, with the animals still remaining the victim.