In the year 1877, a band of Englishmen devoted to the cause of animal welfare, laid the foundations firmly for this Institution, which has been in existence for more than a century, as one of the premier Animal Welfare Organizations established in this country. From its inception, a unique dynamism marked the activities of the Society and his Grace, the duke of Buckingham and chandos, the then Governor of Madras Presidency, was the first Patron of the Society and Rev. Gell, the Lord Bishop of Madras was its first President.

Thereafter the President post has been adorned mostly by Judges of Madras High Court. Presently Melvin Jones Fellow Lion P.Rajamanickam, Senior Advocate is the President of S.P.C.A. The predominant object of our Society is the Prevention and suppression of cruel and improper treatment to animals and amelioration of their condition generally throughout the city of Chennai.

During the year 1898, the society purchased 17 grounds of land in Vepery High Road. Two years later, with the magnificent donation by Rajah Venugopala Bahadur of Venkatagiri, a building was constructed to house the Office of the society and the Hospital for Animals. The Hospital was named after the donor and was the first Veterinary Hospital in Madras. The Madras Veterinary College was started in 1904 near the Society’s premises, so that the students could take advantage of the Society’s Hospital. Later the Hospital and all its equipments were handed over to Government and thus the Madras Veterinary College Came into existence in its location.

The Madras S.P.C.A under the President ship of Mr. Justice H.T. Boddam established the Lethal chamber in 1909 within the Society’s premises and an imported electrothanator was installed for extermination of stray dogs. When the Corporation constructed the Lethal Chamber, the installation was handed over to them.

Mr. Justice H.T. Boddam also conceived the idea of a Pinjrapole for old and infirm cattle. The same was started in 1908 and was managed by S.P.C.A. An area of 12 acres of land at Konnur High Road was purchased for that purpose. Her Highness the Maharani of Vijayanagaram donated Rs.90,000/- towards the Pinjrapole. The management of the institution was transferred to a Committee of Management under a Scheme Decree in C.S. No. 216 of 1949 on the file of the High Court of Judicature of Madras.