# Animals' Friend Society

The Animals' Friend Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was an animal welfare organisation founded in 1832 by Lewis Gompertz and T. Forster. Along with the RSPCA, it was a pioneering organisation advocating for animal welfare in the United Kingdom. After Gompertz's retirement in 1846, the society disbanded. In 1910, an organisation of the same name was founded by Ernest Bell.

## History
### Original society

Lewis Gompertz was one of the founding members of the RSPCA. After a dispute with them, Gompertz resigned and established the Animals' Friend Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals with his friend T. Forster, in 1832. It was headquarter at 18 West Strand, London. Its chief officer was T. B. Gibbins.
The Society was nonsectarian, while other animal organisations of the time were. By 1841, it had at least ten local branches and was experiencing financial difficulties. In 1844, the Society reported that since their formation they had prosecuted no less than 3143 cases of animal cruelty. A splinter group inspired by Christian ideals formed in 1844, known as the National Animals' Friend Society. In 1846, Gompertz retired due to ill health.

### Regional branches

Independent regional branches of the Animals' Friend Society remained active up until 1880. John Cadbury was a supporter of the Birmingham branch which was active in the 1850s.
The Luton Animals' Friend Society was established in 1875. Louisa Bigg was its secretary.

### Revival

An organisation with the same name was founded was in 1910 by Ernest Bell.$^{:xv}$ It was headquartered at York House, Portugal Street, London.
Novelist and poet Thomas Hardy was a supporter of the revived society.

## Publications
### The Animals' Friend, or, the Progress of Humanity

The Society published an illustrated journal titled The Animals' Friend, or, the Progress of Humanity, between 1833 and 1841. It was edited by Gompertz.

### The Animals' Friend

To expand George Bell & Sons humane education publishing line, Ernest Bell launched The Animals' Friend (1894–1930), serving as its editor. In 1897, the journal introduced a Children's Supplement, later renamed Little Animals' Friend (1911–1944). In 1910, it became the official publication of the Animals' Friend Society, which, alongside Bell's company, developed additional titles and teaching resources.$^{:195}$
Ernest Bell was editor for over 30 years. Sidney Trist also served as editor. 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. The presentation was given by Lady Clifford Cory at Central Hall, Westminster. In 1930, The Animals' Friend was published by the National Council for Animals' Welfare.

### The "A. F." pamphlet series

The Society published the following pamphlets:
* For Love of Beasts by John Galsworthy
* Treatment of Animals by John Galsworthy
* Humane Teaching in Schools by Prof. J. Howard Moore
* The Teaching of Inhumanity by Emily Cox, M.A.
* Morality of Field Sports by the late Prof. E. A. Freeman
* Sport by Sir G. G. Greenwood
* Drag-Hunting and Its Possibilities by Basil Tozer
* Docking and Nicking by J. Lee Osborn
* The Pitiful Story of the Performing Animal by an Ex-Trainer, edited by C. R. Johns, preface by Ernest Bell
* Ways of Helping by Lettice Macnaghten
* Horses in Warfare by Ernest Bell and H. Baillie-Weaver
* Horse-Racing, a Cruel Sport
* The Other Side of the Bars
* Why Do Animals Exist?
* The Rights of Animals
* An After-Life for Animals
* Cruelties in Dress by Jessey Wade
* Mother Love in the Animal World by Jessey Wade
* How to Kill Animals Humanely by Edith Carrington and C. Cash