In 1927, three concerned citizens formed the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society (BEBHS), originally named "Animal Rescue Haven," at the corner of Ninth and Carleton Streets to rescue homeless animals in Alameda County. As the needs of the community's animals shifted throughout subsequent decades, education programs, community pet support programs and a veterinary hospital were added. BEBHS closed the veterinary practice to the public in early 2009 to focus on providing medical care exclusively for shelter dogs and cats, making it the first veterinary hospital in the East Bay to serve only homeless animals.

In the 1970s, the Board of Directors committed to a revolutionary adoption guarantee model: that no healthy or treatable shelter animals would be euthanized in the Society's care. This commitment set the stage for BEBHS placing 100% of healthy and treatable animals into loving homes for nearly forty years, a commitment that awarded BEBHS and partner organizations the prestigious Maddie's Fund Lifesaving Award in 2009.