History

The Jacksonville Humane Society was established in 1885 as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In 1920, with the donation of 13.6 acres of land by the Society’s President, E. Fleming Bowden, it was reorganized as the Humane Society. In 1924, the Society’s first shelter opened as the Humane Society’s Rest Farm. The Society was renamed The Jacksonville Humane Society, Inc. In 1958, and still remains on the same acres on Beach Boulevard.