The Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh formed in 2017 after a merger between the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society and the Animal Rescue League of Pittsburgh.

Western Pennsylvania Humane Society

The origins of the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society can be traced to a meeting held at the request of Caroline E. White, President of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Mary Pennington of the Philadelphia SPCA, Pittsburgh Mayor James Blackmore, and humane agent Edward Ladley in a reception room in City Hall in November 1874 to create a Pittsburgh branch of SPCA. Dr. A. G. Walters, a physician and surgeon, was chosen as Chairman, and Zadok Street became Secretary and later the first Superintendent from 1874 to 1878. The Society initially focused on the welfare of horses and livestock in Allegheny County. In Pittsburgh, horses pulling overloaded trolleys endured harsh conditions, lacking proper shelter along their routes. They were subjected to mistreatment through various means and were made to toil tirelessly in all weather conditions, often reaching the point of exhaustion. Agents for the Society would investigate claims of abuse and record their findings weekly. Agents visited homes, railroad lines, stockyards, and slaughterhouses for suspected cases of animal abuse. Zadok Street observed many cases of animal cruelty and was instrumental in the passing of railway shipping laws after observing livestock in cars without food, rest, or water. Because it was a part of the Pennsylvania SPCA, the Society had the authority to enforce all Pennsylvania laws relating to animal cruelty. Agents typically would first give verbal warnings and advice for more humane treatment of animals. If someone received multiple verbal warnings, agents sought legal remedies and levied fines. After receiving reports of animal abuse in other counties, the Society renamed itself the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society (WPHS) on January 20, 1880.

Even though WPHS focused on animal cruelty, soon after formation, the organization received requests to examine allegations of physical and emotional abuse against children, women, and the elderly. In 1877, WPHS launched its Children's Branch to focus on abuse against children. Despite its efforts, the Society faced limitations in addressing child abuse cases due to the absence of laws in Pennsylvania concerning cruelty to children. Collaborating alongside the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in Philadelphia, the two organizations jointly proposed an act to address child cruelty before the General Assembly. This concerted effort culminated in the successful passage of a child cruelty law in Pennsylvania in 1879. WPHS continued its Children's Branch initiative until 1975.

As WPHS grew, it sought to break away from the Pennsylvania SPCA. The Society obtained a new charter as a separate entity on November 16, 1889. Despite the growth, WPHS struggled to have permanent headquarters until 1913. The Society first met in rooms of the YMCA on Penn Avenue and Wood Street in Downtown Pittsburgh. In March of 1875, WPHS met in the Chambers of Commerce rooms in the Germania Bank Building on Wood Street and Diamond Alley. Between May 1875 and April 1876, the Society operated from 218 Penn Avenue. From April 1876 until 1879, the Society occupied 298 Penn Avenue. Continuing down Penn Avenue, WPHS moved to the basement of Mrs. A. C. Duncan's home at 800 Penn Avenue in 1879 and operated from there for several years. After the stint at Mrs. Duncan's home, the Board of Managers for the Free Dispensary offered the second floor of their building at 442 Sixth Avenue to the Society. Unable to afford a single building for the headquarters in 1912, WPHS occupied three rooms in the Curry Building at Fourth Avenue and Ross Street. Finally, in May 1913, WPHS occupied its own building at 709 Forbes Street. The Forbes Street building was in operation for four years until the construction of a second building on Bigelow Boulevard at Washington Place. WPHS operated out of the Bigelow Boulevard property for 22 years, providing the Society some stability. In 1940 the property was condemned by the City of Pittsburgh to widen Bigelow Boulevard. The Society then made its move to Pittsburgh's North Side. Between 1940 and 1963, WPHS operated out of 210-212 West Ohio Street. On February 12, 1963, WPHS made its final move to 1101 Western Avenue.

Throughout its history, the WPHS hosted a variety of events to garner attention and funds from the public. In honor of the Society's 50th anniversary in 1923, members organized the first annual Pittsburgh Workhorse Parade. Teams of hauling horses trotted the streets of Downtown Pittsburgh to commemorate the workhorses of the city. Local businesses donated prizes to raise interest and increase the number of entries. The last Workhorse Parade took place in 1931. Other events or initiatives hosted by WPHS throughout its history include: Be Kind to Animals Week,"Camera for Guns", the Pet Therapy Program, pet shows, spay and neuter clinics, rabies clinics, obedience training classes, and adoption events.

Due to an increase in household pet ownership, WPHS shifted its priorities away from horses and livestock during the late 1930s early 1940s. Following WWII, the increase of prosperity and the accompanying baby boom resulted in a rise in pet ownership. When owners abandoned their pets or found themselves with unwanted litters, the Humane Society came to care for these animals. The elevation of the status of household pets in society also led to increased financial support for activities focused on the welfare of cats and dogs. The WPHS continued these services and events as its own entity until December 31, 2016.

Animal Rescue League Shelter and Wildlife Center

Established on July 22, 1909 during a meeting of five Pittsburgh citizens, the Animal Rescue League of Pittsburgh (ARL) focused on the humane treatment of animals and public health. Founding members included Elizabeth F. Holmes, M. E. Zydeman, A. M. Wadsworth, R. W. Kenney, and Mary Elizabeth Kenney. Officially chartered on October 30, 1909, the ARL focused on educating the public on the proper care of dogs, cats, and horses, providing food and shelter for those animals, and ensuring painless deaths for old and sick animals. ARL opened two facilities in 1910, the Rescue Farm (known as the Rosedale property) in Verona, Pa., and the City Refuge on Denniston Avenue in Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood.

In 1912, ARL became the first humane society in the nation to receive a contract with a city to house stray animals caught by animal control. Members of ARL collected animals off the street as a result of this contract. This contract also gave retired workhorses used by the City of Pittsburgh to the League to live out the rest of their lives on the Rosedale property. As the motorization of trolleys and hauling vehicles increased, the Rosedale property received fewer horses. As a result of this, ARL converted the Rosedale property into a kennel for boarding owned animals, a cemetery for pets, and a special plot of land for the burial of K-9 officers.

The 1912 contract with the city also provided the League with the funds to open a new building on Kirkwood Street near the corner of N. Euclid Avenue, also in Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood. The ARL moved from the Kirkwood Street property into 6620 Hamilton Avenue in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood in 1955. The ARL expanded and enhanced the property in 2000 due to an increase of animals accepted in the shelter.

ARL expanded its mission in 1997 with the creation of the Pennsylvania Wildlife Center at the Rosedale property. The Wildlife Center focused on rehabilitating and releasing wild animals native to Pennsylvania that were harmed or displaced due to interactions with humans. With this new addition, the League officially changed its name to the Animal Rescue League Shelter and Wildlife Center, but still used ARL as shorthand.

With the help of the ARL Women's Auxiliary and volunteers, the League hosted events to raise funds and awareness for the ARL and its services. Events like WAG Days, Adopt-a-thon, the Pet Therapy Program, PAW Prints, B*tches Ball, rabies clinics, spay and neuter clinics, and the fashion show. The ARL continued to host these services and programs as its own entity until December 31, 2016.