Along with the RSPCA, it was a pioneering organisation advocating for animal welfare in the United Kingdom.
[3] A splinter group inspired by Christian ideals formed in 1844, known as the National Animals' Friend Society.
[5] Independent regional branches of the Animals' Friend Society remained active up until 1880.
[4] The Society published an illustrated journal[15] titled The Animals' Friend, or, the Progress of Humanity, between 1833 and 1841.
In 1910, it became the official publication of the Animals' Friend Society, which, alongside Bell's company, developed additional titles and teaching resources.
[18] In October 1929, a book bound in non-animal "leather" with pages of vegetable parchment was presented to Ernest Bell to mark his retirement as editor of the magazine.