Toronto Humane Society

The Toronto Humane Society is a Toronto charity that operates animal shelters and animal rescue operations. It was founded by crusading journalist John J. Kelso after a Novmeber 1886 story of his in the Toronto World resulted in a letter to the editor asking “Why don't we have a society for the prevention of cruelty?” Subsequently, a total of $74 in donations was sent to the newspaper which was used by Kelso to found the Toronto Humane Society in 1887 as an organization dedicated to promote both children's aid and the humane treatment of animals. The Children's Aid Society ultimately became a distinct organization in 1891.

The THS was originally located at the intersection of Bay Street and what is now Wellesley Street in downtown Toronto.