Founded in 1924, the Bahamas Humane Society is the oldest charity in the Bahamas and was originally called the Dumb Friends League. It is affiliated to numerous international organisations, including the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

It is the only humane organisation in the Caribbean to hold membership of the Standards of Excellence Program sponsored by the American Humane Association of which it has been a member since 1989.

The BHS employs two full time veterinarians. It offers a 24 hour emergency ambulance service and provides care for sick, injured and abandoned animals.
The BHS is not responsible for the collection of stray or dead animals. Stray animals are the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (Canine Control Unit), while the Department of Environmental Health Services deals with dead animals.